This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime 3-week trip to Israel. We did everything from floating in the dead sea, climbing Masada, riding camels, walking in the Old City, and so many other fun things. Something that stuck with me most was our volunteer experience at Pantry Packers in Jerusalem. We learned that 130,000 families in Israel suffer from having no food and that this organization provides low-income families in Israel with 500 shekalim worth of food each month and serves about 11,800 families each month. The amazing thing about this organization is that they try and cater to the families they are helping. For example, if there is a holiday they will donate boxes filled with ingredients and foods specific to the holiday. Or if they come from a different ethnicity, their box will have ingredients and foods specific to that ethnicity. In our case, we spent a couple of hours participating by packing boxes of culturally specific foods for specifically elderly people in the Ethiopian community. I filled approximately 432 bags of oats and in total, my group packed 398 boxes of food. Throughout the rest of my trip, I kept thinking about this experience and how much I enjoyed it. I knew I wanted to help more.

My Saba was one of the greatest men I've ever known. Kind but fierce, humble, confident, but most importantly, full of pure love. I knew from an early age that my Saba and I had a bond like no other. We did everything together from walking to Costco every Sunday morning, watching his favorite show Doctor Pol, and cooking. My Saba loved to cook. It was his way of showing love. Every Shabbat, he would ask me "You like the food?" and of course, I said yes, and he would say "You know why it's good? Because I made it with love". Now, every time I go into the kitchen or eat food on Shabbat I think of my Saba. I miss him. But I know that he is looking down smiling.

In honor of my Saba and his love for food and cooking, I am holding a fundraiser in order to support Pantry Packers / Colel Chabad. No family should have to go hungry, especially in my home Israel. Every family should have the opportunity to celebrate holidays with good food, eat with their families, and even bond while making food in the kitchen like me and my Saba once did. Please help me support this inspiring organization by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends. Every dollar I raise will advance Pantry Packers / Colel Chabad's great cause! Together, you can help the memory of my Saba live on, and help make a difference!