Volunteers Bring Food, Cheer to Jewish Seniors

TARZANA â€”  Old and young alike arose early in the name of community pride to help Jewish seniors in need.

Nearly 70 volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to 83, gathered Saturday and Sunday to assemble, load and distribute boxes of kosher food to low-income and housebound Jewish seniors in honor of Hanukkah, which begins at sundown Thursday.

“It’s my Jewish duty,� Aaron Shusett, 23, a bellhop who works the graveyard shift at the Hilton in Woodland Hills, said Sunday. “I got off at 6:30 a.m. and came straight over here. I have to give back to the community that gave me so much--with my bar mitzvah and all. I haven’t slept all night, but this is worth it.�

The 65-pound orders were “filled to overflowing� with items such as fruit, cereal, frozen chicken, and ingredients for latkes (potato pancakes): potatoes, eggs and oil, said coordinator David Kaye, chairman of Encino B’nai B’rith Food Bank.

The agency has served the Valley’s Jewish seniors and other needy residents for more than 25 years.

Tucked into each box was a note wishing recipients a happy Hanukkah, good health and peace.

Volunteers delivered more than five tons of food Sunday to nearly 180 homes throughout the Valley, Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles, Kaye said.

About 30 cars helped make the rounds, but more had been expected. By 10 a.m., some drivers were doubling their efforts to compensate for the no-shows.

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Kaye, a senior citizen with great-grandchildren, said he was ready--despite a cold--should he have to pick up the slack.

“There are people counting on us,� he said, adding that many of the recipients seem to fall through the cracks of government assistance.

“There are so many people out there, so many who need help,� Kaye said.

Members of two other Valley lodges--Rishon B’nai B’rith and Knesset B’nai B’rith--and Victory Outreach, a Christian organization, were among the volunteers who helped make the deliveries.