EHP
Shalom Bayit
Feeding the Hungry
Holiday Projects
Jewish Coalition for Literacy
Matanot L’Evyonim
Mitzvah Day
Sandwich Making for UMPA
Soup for the Soul
Yom Kippur Food Drive

Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP) Holiday Food Distribution

Share in a mitzvah with other organizations to help the Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP) distribute food to needy individuals and families in East Palo Alto.  The lines are long; the need is great. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and families with children in junior high school and above to help those who are less fortunate.

Shalom Bayit, Adopt-a Family program

Every year, Shalom Bayit (Peace in the House) assists Jewish clients who are in transition. They’ve fled abusive relationships, walked away from violence and have to re-build their lives. Consider making a donation at shalom-bayit.org.

Feeding the Hungry

For over 20 years Kol Emeth has served nourishing meals to those in need, monthly on Tuesdays (early dinner) and Thursdays (luncheon), at two different churches in Palo Alto. The food, prepared and donated by local charities, is served cafeteria style to as many as 100 people. Our dedicated volunteers enjoy a convivial and most rewarding experience. The schedule is flexible and people only participate when available.
New volunteers are always welcome. For further information regarding Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, please email our coordinators.

Holiday Projects

During the Christmas and Thanksgiving seasons, we distribute food at the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo and deliver gifts (e.g., food baskets and kitchen supplies) to the Haven Family House, a transitional home for families in Menlo Park. For more information, please contact the office.

Jewish Coalition for Literacy

If you want to be a reading tutor in a local public school for children in grades K-3, contact JCL. After going through one three-hour training session, volunteers are asked to spend an hour per week at a site convenient to them. Morning, afternoon, and evening hours are available. Several volunteers from Kol Emeth have been doing this for years.

Matanot L’Evyonim

On Purim we raise money, generally for global organizations in need. Our current organization is IsraAID. We also collaborate with our religious school to coordinate a Tikkun Olam activity during the carnival.

Annual Mitzvah Day

For the past few years the Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto has coordinated a mitzvah day with local Jewish organizations. Kol Emeth collaborates in planning this event and sponsors its own activity. If you have questions or suggestions, contact the office.

Sandwich Making for the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto (UMPA)

On the third Sunday of each month we compile approximately 200 lunch bags in Kol Emeth’s social hall; each bag includes a sandwich, a granola bar and a juice box. UMPA picks them up and distributes them at its food bank. KE created this project about 15 years ago and is the only organization that does this. It’s a wonderful activity for families and people of all ages, with something to do for everyone. Come and join us; no need to call first. Check the calendar for the next date and time. Please note that during our renovation period this event may not occur every month.

Soup for the Soul

Participants in this project cook and deliver soup every Wednesday to patients in the V.A. Hospital Hospice and long-term care programs. Cooks commit to preparing 16 liters (about 4 gallons) of a soup of your choice, once every three months. The soup can be prepared in your kitchen or at Kol Emeth with prior arrangements with the office. Containers are provided and used for delivery at the V.A. in Palo Alto on Wednesday mornings at 9:15 a.m. We are eagerly enlisting cooks and servers for this year. Volunteers are especially needed to serve the soup to the hospice patients from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. It’s a small commitment but so much appreciated by the men and women who served our country.
For more information or to sign up, contact the office.

Annual Yom Kippur Food Drive

We collect canned food and contributions for Second Harvest and the Jewish Family and Children Services. Please help us help others by collecting and donating canned/packaged food.