In 1993, Chico Bomchel (of blessed memory) began serving meals to those in need at Grace Episcopal in Woodlawn. Chico himself had been a recipient of those meals, and when he was able to provide for others, he did so for many years. Eva Wilensky worked alongside Chico for many of those years, helping to organize the collection of food from local stores and leading volunteers from the Jewish community in cooking and serving them on Easter and Christmas. Eventually, Debby Thomas (of blessed memory) took over this effort and led it for many years. During the global pandemic and since, volunteers from Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El have partnered with The Fish Market/Yellow Bicycle Catering, Omni Foods, Bud’s Best Cookies, Milo’s Tea and other local businesses that have helped us provide these meals through gifts in kind or significant discounts. 

To continue the tradition serving our neighbors observing Christmas, join volunteers from Temples Emanu-El & Temple Beth-El and CJFS for Christmas Day lunch and dinner at First Light Shelter, a homelessness stable emergency shelter. 

The lunch volunteer shift will begin at 10:45 ahead of serving lunch at 11:30. Guests typically finish by 1pm. First Light residents are not required to attend lunch, therefore a smaller crowd of guests are anticipated. Lunch usually has 20-25 residents to feed and we welcome and encourage volunteers to eat and visit with our guests.

Do you enjoy playing board games, creating art, decorating gingerbread houses? Join a group of volunteers between lunch and dinner to hang out with residents at First Light.

The dinner volunteer shift will begin at 5:45 ahead of serving dinner at 6:30. Guests typically finish by 7 or 7:15. Dinner attendance is required of residents and we anticipate serving 45-50 resident women and children. 

We are excited to include youth volunteers this year. A child 12 and under may attend, but must be accompanied by an adult. If you have more than 1 child interested in coming, please arrange for another adult family member or friend to partner with your additional child. Please understand that to ensure a meaningful experience for all, only the designated number of volunteers is needed for each shift.

Thanks to Temple Emanu-El Feeding the Hungry Fund (formerly Community Kitchens), Temple Beth-El Chico Bomchel Food Insecurity Fund, and the Edward & Hermione Friend Community Fund of the Grafman Endowment Fund for supporting this project. If you would like to make a monetary contribution to this event and future community service projects of this nature, please send your donation to the forementioned funds. 

To register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FAAAC2CA2F5C16-59879408-cjfstemple