Shabbat Blast

Dear Congregant,
 
In a recent article in the Bellmore Patch, it was mentioned that the local school district was providing meals to children on Mondays and Wednesdays. This grab and go program provides lunches 5-days a week to school children. Since the start of the pandemic, the need for this lunch program has increased from 70 to 165 children. The local chapter of the Lions Club has joined with the school district to provide pizza dinners to these 80 families throughout Bellmore and Merrick. A copy of the story is reprinted below.
 
Congregation Beth Ohr has committed to help feed these children by providing a Family Meal Package  from Bagel Boss of Merrick. This Family Meal costs us $20.00 each and it is our hope that we will be able to provide these meal packages during the next few weeks to the families in need. Through the generous donations of our sponsor families, CBO already has commitments for $1,800.00. Please help us help those children that need our help. Please join us in this mitzvah by contributing $18, $36 or $54 to the Alix Rubinger Food Pantry.
 
You can donate by clicking here or visit the CBO web site at www.cbohr.org.

Thank you for your generous donation.

All the best to your family and please stay safe!

Your CBO Family

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Bellmore Patch Reprint
NORTH BELLMORE, NY — The North Bellmore School District continues to support the community through the COVID-19 pandemic as essential services remain for children and their families while schools are closed.

The district is providing grab-and-go meals on Mondays and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to
1 p.m., at Martin Avenue Elementary School, with two days of lunch given out on Mondays and three days' worth on Wednesdays. Since the first week of the program, the average meals provided have increased from 70 to 165.
 
Meals include both hot and cold items including bagels, chicken nuggets, French toast, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, tacos and a variety of sandwiches. The lunches are being prepared by North Bellmore's food services staff, who have been working on a rotating basis and continue to practice social distancing as they prepare food.
 
Overseeing the grab-and-go meal program are Assistant Superintendent for Business Jacqueline Rehak and Food Services Director Helena McKenna. The district's custodial staff has also been providing valuable support by picking up inventory from other schools to support food preparation at Martin Avenue. "It has been such an amazing group effort," Rehak said. "The food services staff has been excellent and our custodial staff has been so helpful. The staff has really come together, without actually coming together. Additionally, Ms. McKenna has been extremely innovative with creating these meals and scheduling the staff while maintaining social distancing."
 
Through the efforts of Superintendent of Schools Marie Testa and Board of Education President Nina Lanci, the district has also partnered with the Bellmore Lions Club to provide pizza dinners for families. Lanci, also treasurer of the Lions Club, reached out to Andrea Colandrea, owner of Mama Gina's Italian Restaurant and Café in Bellmore, to help provide meals for the community.
 
The Bellmore Lions Club purchased gift certificates, at a reduced price, to be distributed to 80 families in picking up their grab-and-go lunches at Martin Avenue. Testa said this will allow families to bring home a hot pizza from Mama Gina's at their convenience.
 
"I knew we had to do something," Lanci said. "People are struggling to feed their families and are worried for the future. The Lions believe that kindness matters, which is why I reached out to Mama Gina's so we could bring a hot meal to those in need in our community and to let them know we care. “Added Testa, "This wonderful partnership with the Lions Club allows us to continue fulfilling our mission of supporting the North Bellmore community. Although we are apart, our connection remains united and strong."