Ahead of Rosh Hashanah 2009 Latet Organization initiated an online humanitarian food drive. The goal of this groundbreaking campaign is to collect meals for underprivileged families for the Holiday and the following months. Together we will provide Holiday meals for all needy families and will make sure everyone celebrates the Holiday with dignity.
About the campaign:
Background
Over 200,000 Israeli families suffer from nutritional insecurity. Over 200,000 families that resemble our own in everything except for their ability to afford the most basic thing - food. Over 200,000 families that need our help to survive.
The financial crisis and the recession caused created an unbridgeable gap between the growing need for aid and the shrinking resources. This places Latet's and its 150 partner local agencies' ability to provide the urgent basic aid 200,000 families require in real danger.
Tens of thousands of families are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009 and 2010 yet the ability of voluntary organizations to provide aid is shrinking. Without the State's intervention, the humanitarian sector might collapse leaving over 1 Million Israelis without food.
The Initiative:
In light of the situation Latet initiated the "To Give 200,000 Holiday Meals" food drive. The national campaign's goal is to assist tens of thousands of needy families celebrate the Holiday properly and raise public awareness to the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who live in poverty and food insecurity.
We believe the State is responsible for weak populations – yet, until the situation changes, we have a social, human responsibility to help others because to be an Israeli is to lend a helping hand to those in need, to help them celebrate the holiday in dignity and let them know they were not forgotten.
Help us by becoming a volunteer!
To become a volunteer call 1-700-500-40-30
To donates a meal worth NIS 10 – Text the word "Latet" to 2255
Join the world's largest virtual meal:
www.latet.co.il
The Goal:
With the help of thousands of volunteers, some 150 partner local agencies and dozens of companies, Latet Organization's goal is to collect 200,000 Holiday meals for needy families and guarantee everyone enjoys a meal on Rosh Hashanah eve.
Being Israeli is Latet
We all aspire to live in a society based on solidarity. Indeed, one of the values that characterize Israelis is the sense of communality. To be an Israeli is to lend a helping hand to those in need, to help a mother carry the baby carriage up the stairs, help a stranger start his car or give directions.
This year more than ever we need you and thousands of volunteers who will help us reach our goal. Being Israeli is Latet.
Ground campaign – "Latet 200,000 meals:"
Virtual Rosh Hashanah meal at: www.latet.co.il
In the virtual Rosh Hashanah meal website, guests are invited to join the table but instead of eating a meal – giving it to someone who really needs it. Visitors can choose to join existing tables by a simple NIS 10 donation or host their own table and invite others. After joining the virtual meal, visitors can join other tables, chat and receive updates via facebook, but, mostly – invite their friends and relatives to join the largest virtual meal ever and help the needy.
The "Empty Dinner Table" display in Rabin Square:
From August 31 through September 2, Tel Aviv's Rabin Square will be covered with 1km-long table set for dinner complete with chairs, plates and silverware. This display of an "empty" dinner table is meant to illustrate the situation that an incredible number of over 200,000 families in Israel might face on the eve of Rosh Hashanah unless they are helped.
Latet's volunteers will be stationed in computerized stations around the Square and will invite the passerby to join the virtual meal by donating NIS 10 (cost of one meal).
The goal of the display is to raise public awareness to the problem of nutritional insecurity and the fact that in 2009 Israel there are over 200,000 families who suffer from it.
Also, in a special YouTube kiosk in the Square, visitors to the display will be able to record a message of hope and solidarity with the needy for the New Jewish Year.
Nationwide food drive for needy families
A nationwide food drive will be held in supermarket chains and shopping centers from September 6 through September 18. In accordance with Latet's philosophy, everyone will be invited to give in one of the many ways possible: volunteer, donate money or donate food products. Thousands of Latet's volunteers will be stationed in over 100 branches of the Victori, Rami Levi and Tiv Taam supermarket chains, in the BIG and ONE shopping centers and Israel malls. The volunteers will encourage shoppers to add to their shopping list basic food products and donate them to the needy. The products collected will be transferred to Latet's regional food centers where they will be sorted, packed and distributed to underprivileged Israelis in 95 communities nationwide via a network of 150 partner local agencies.
For a detailed list of partner local agencies click here
Recommended products – Formula and baby products, wine, rice, pasta, baked goods, snacks, flour, honey, cereal, various spreads and canned goods.
Our goal is to enlist the citizens of Israel to join forces in a national solidarity campaign. We believe that the State should take responsibility for the wellbeing of the weak. Nevertheless, until such time, it is our social and humanitarian duty to help. To be an Israeli is to lend a helping hand to those in need, to help them celebrate the holiday in dignity and let them know they were not forgotten.
To become a volunteer call 1-700-500-40-30
To donates a meal worth NIS 10 – Text the word "Latet" to 2255
Join the world's largest virtual meal:
www.latet.co.il
What is Happening at Latet
