First Light Shelter

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. […]

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. […]

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. […]