MAZON has long known that age is no barrier to enthusiasm, creativity, energy or drive. Below are examples of unique program ideas, implemented by young people around the country, that help support MAZON’s anti-hunger work.
Youth Groups
J-Serve: J-Serve: Jewish Youth Repairing the World, One Day at a Time is the Jewish piece of an annual day of service for youth throughout the world. Jewish teens join their counterparts in other faith communities, cities and countries in giving their time to serve the neighborhoods in which they live.
The K-HELP Fund: Kids Helping Everyone Live Peacefully in Dallas, Texas is a group of Bar and Bat Mitzvot students who are practicing philanthropy at a young age. As a group, the students decided to establish a fund that they would donate to in honor of each other's Bar and Bat Mitzvot in place of giving gifts. In April 2006, MAZON was the recipient of $4,000 from the students.
Charity Ball: The girls of Ahavah B’nai B’rith Girls #2289 of Maryland hosted an “Evening to End Hunger Charity Ball” to benefit MAZON. Held at a local synagogue, the evening consisted of a dessert buffet and a silent auction. Through their hard work, Ahavah BBG successfully raised $2,968 for MAZON.
NFTY: In 1986, The National Federation of Temple Youth established a partnership with MAZON by adding a 3% surcharge to the cost of all NFTY-sponsored conclaves, kallahs (conferences), and institutes; the surplus funds are donated to MAZON.
Hunger Strike: In New Orleans, LA, the youth group at Touro Synagogue hosted a “20-Hour Famine Lock-In.” For nearly a full day, youth group members fasted, led hunger-related discussion groups, watched movies on the topic and engaged each other about ways to make a difference. Their dedication and creative energy raised over $500 for MAZON and hunger relief.
Hillels
FAST Action Campaign:
Hillel chapters ask their campus food service operations to support MAZON. By donating the money saved by not having to prepare food for Jewish students who are fasting on Yom Kippur, universities express their support of MAZON and its critical hunger-relief work.
Here's how it works, in 3 easy steps:
- Make contact :
Hillel chapters contact their schools to find out how much they are willing to donate for each meal that a student skips due to fasting on Yom Kippur. Your dining service contact should provide you with a list of the information needed from students to enable their participation.
- Get the word out :
At least one week before Yom Kippur, students or Hillel staff set up a table outside the dining hall to sign students up and collect their information.
- Follow up:
After the number of participants are confirmed, a student or Hillel staffer arranges for the dining services to cut a check to MAZON for the agreed upon amount. Once verified, the check should be forwarded to MAZON's Los Angeles office (1990 S. Bundy Drive, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90025)
Care Packages:
University of Cincinnati Hillel Jewish Student Center has students solicit donations from businesses around their community and use these donations to create care-packages. The finished packages are then distributed directly to needy people in the community.
Harmonize for Hunger:
In Minneapolis, MN, the University of Minnesota Hillel Foundation planned a unique concert event called “Harmonize for Hunger: Bluegrass Style.” Held at the Coffman Memorial Union Theater, the MAZON benefit began with a havdallah service, which was followed by a stunning bluegrass performance. With over 200 attendees, “Harmonize for Hunger” proved a remarkable source of support for MAZON and its hunger-relief efforts.
PB Jam:
In Columbia, MO, University of Missouri-Columbia Hillel put on an annual “Jelly Jam” sandwich making competition. During the marathon, several hundred students stopped by to make 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for various shelters in Columbia.
Tzedakahpalooza:
In Storrs, CT, The University of Connecticut Hillel hosted a benefit concert at an 18-and-over-club. The event featured live performances from some of the area’s best-known bands. Over 300 students attended, contributing more than 600 cans of food that were then donated to a local food bank. UConn Hillel donated the price of admission to MAZON.
Yom HaShoah:
In Madison, NJ, Drew University's Spirituality House and Hillel sponsored a two-week program for Yom HaShoah that was themed Awareness: Even though we cannot help those who suffered then, we can still do our best to help those who are suffering now. During the first week, student leaders ran a table taking donations for MAZON. In return for their donation, the students gave out blue and white ribbons that were worn on the Holocaust Remembrance Day. During the second week, a student-ran and student-assembled interfaith Shoah service was held to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Challah for Hunger :
In Rochester, NY, The Hillels of Rochester students bake and sell challot every week on campus. A portion of the proceeds are then donated to MAZON to help hungry families.
