Kol Hakavod to Keren lev Yisrael (I think they are a subdivision of the Kupa shel Tzedaka RBS A) in RBS.
With the great expense Pesach has become, especially in these days of a faltering economy, Keren Lev Yisrael stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. They sold basic food items, from matza to meat to eggs to veggies to paper goods and more, at prices that were much cheaper than the stores. This allowed families to save a lot of money in their Pesach purchases.
Aside from that, they also had a subsidized plan for people who are in a very bad financial situation. I do not know what you had to do to qualify for the extra subsidy, but the prices were even cheaper for them.
I did not see any numbers how many people bought products through them and how much money overall was saved, but I am sure it was a bundle. There were hundreds of people, of all types, taking advantage of the program that Keren lev Yisrael offered.
Kol Hakavod.
Yes, Keren Lev Yisrael provides a nice service to the community.But I found it to be a sale and not much more than an advertising blitz for them and kupa shel tzedaka.
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank Lema'an Achai from the depth of my heart.
I received their chaluka for Pesach today (for free..not reduced prices!). They gave us matzos (hand and machine), meat, chicken, wine, grape juice, eggs, staple items and even cleaning supplies! This was in addition to telushim for other needs.
All of this was done without fanfare or publicity and with a smile. I was even offered a cold drink while waiting!
Being in need is very embarassing.
It is nice to know that there are such great organizations that help and with honour and dignity!
I hope that the residents of RBSA realize this gem called Lema'an Achai and support it strongly.
Thank you again.
greatly - I am happy you got the help you needed.
ReplyDeleteBoth organizations do great work. About keren lev, from what I understand, part of the purpose of selling to the general public at reduced prices is so that those who need the more subsidized discounts will not be ashamed. Because everybody is buying from them as well.
But in addition to that, they give food packages to families, similar to what you received from Lemaan Achai.
Both organizations do great work. Local residents should be giving kimcha d'pischa to either or both of Lemaan Achai and Kupa shel Tzedaka.
Hag Sameach
1. I volunteer for Lev Yisroel.
ReplyDeleteThe main purpose of the sale is in order to give free packages to the needy, without embarrassing them. At the Chaluka - nobody knows if you paid for your tlushim or not.
(and they had cold drinks there, too).
2. I have the digits of the Lev Yisroel sale. I can't give out the numbers, but I can say that this chag - we had more than 1000 families who ordered.
Avi-
ReplyDeleteKol Hakavod to you and to Keren Lev Yisrael.
A couple of points-
1) I think that humble is simply saying that Lema'an Achai gives out to the poor families (183 according to their posters) without making it into some kind of "blitz". It's simply chesed b'tzniut.
2) You said over 1,000 families ordered. Great, but what does that have to do with tzedaka and chesed? I know plenty of people who aren't needy but ordered anyway. So it's a great service to the community but one can't say that 1,000 needy families were assisted.
Which brings me to my last point.
Kupa is a wonderful organization that does good work.
However, I'm confused.
After Purim I rec'd a flyer stating that 168 families rec'd Matanot Le'evyonim and some were even able to come "off the books" (which Lema'an Achai has also claimed for many years). If so how is it possible that...
I rec'd a flyer stating that 500(!) needy familes would be getting for Pesach. Another advert says 300 families.
I remained confused.
I also can't understand why Kupa which claims to be 100% tzedaka must use sponsor money to put up 5 banners for each one Lema'an Achais'.
I guess I'll just have to be satisfied knowing that all of our organizations do good work.
Chag Kasher Vesameach to all!
I would say that families which can make ends meet year round often struggle more during Pesach and the Yamim Noraim. Expenses are higher, and more vacation days (often unpaid) are often necessary in order to watch the children.
ReplyDeleteI admire the huge amount of effort and resource the Kupa Shel Tzedaka/Keren Lev Yisrael (who they?) put into the food sale. They certainly know how to bring out a huge crowd and deliver product!
ReplyDeleteMy question is, at what point is the KST simply going into the retail business?
The overwhelming majority of the people shopping at the event, could just have well shopped at the local supermarkets.
So why is KST competing against the retailers for the enormous and critical Pessach trade?
And undercutting the legitimate retailers, by using volunteer labor?
How many local jobs and wherewithal are jeopardized by this event?
In short, where does "retailer" feature in the KST Mission Statement?
I believe they sold at cost, so they're not exactly in retail.
ReplyDeleteBesides their "competition" isn't a local mom-and-pop,it's aleph/shefa shuk.
(I was just in aleph and it was jammed,so no jobs seem at risk.)
The main reasoning I can think of is to provide an easy unembarrassing way for families to get some help(20%), plus providing cover to those who receive it for free.
Unstressed
P.S.-I'm not on any tzedaka list, but Pesach time is very expensive/less paycheck and I appreciate the Keren/Kupa for
making Yom Tov less stressful.
Personally I would feel much less embarrassed if the Kupa signs weren't all over the place during the sale.
ReplyDeleteI bought at the sale but still feel as I'm getting from tzedaka because of the signs.
I also don't like the fact that they took my name and address..I don't want to be on a mailing list!