Below, you’ll find information about current and upcoming direct-service and social action opportunities in our community. If you’re interested in joining our advocacy and social justice efforts at the state or national level, please visit our Tzedek: Social Justice & Advocacy page here.
Have any questions? Contact Karyn Boosin Leit for more information or assistance.
TSTI Mitzvah Day
Each year, TSTI organizes a congregation-wide Mitzvah Day. Last year, over 250 congregants participated in our day of service, where we completed projects to help organizations like Interfaith Food Pantries of the Oranges, Bridges Outreach, MEND, SOMA Shares, Center of Hope & Safety, Together We Bloom, East Orange Animal Alliance, and more.
For more information, email Tracy Horwitz.
Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges (IFPO)
The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, Inc. (IFPO) is a volunteer-powered, supplemental food pantry that helps meet the essential human needs of over 650 neighbors in Orange, East Orange, and West Orange, New Jersey, with dignity and respect.
Volunteers are needed to staff the food pantry on Monday and Wednesday mornings. On Monday mornings, volunteers pack groceries or other supplies and perform other pantry prep tasks, including breaking down boxes for recycling. On Wednesdays, volunteers are needed for distribution activities such as loading grocery bags and produce into vehicles, re-packing groceries into clients’ reusable bags, or offering food items at our walk-up stations. Portions of our distributions are housed indoors while others remain outdoors, regardless of the weather. We assist clients who arrive on foot both inside our warehouse and out on our parking lot plaza. We also offer a drive-up line for clients coming in vehicles.
Opportunities may be offered throughout the year to help in other ways, such as participating in food packing events, sorting coat donations, and helping to prepare for the Thanksgiving distribution.
Due to the nature of its space and work, all volunteers must be at least high school age. To ensure the proper complement of needed volunteers, the IFPO uses a sign-up system. For more information, please visit their website. You can also send an email to Karyn Boosin Leit to sign up for the IFPO newsletter and receive information about volunteer opportunities.
TSTI Second Saturday Soup Kitchen
A wonderful and rewarding tikkun olam activity for families! Help make a positive difference for our neighbors by volunteering to contribute 10 complete meals, homemade or store-bought. You’ll drop-off the nutritious lunches at the Epiphany & Christ Church in Orange. Church volunteers will distribute the meals to clients who visit their food pantry. Additional details can be found here.
Want to join our contact list or have questions? Email the soup kitchen team.
Ongoing Drive: Clothing and Small Household Goods
Epiphany and Christ Church, where the TSTI Second Saturday Soup Kitchen meals are served, is continuously seeking IN-SEASON donations of gently-used coats, clothing, and shoes for children and adults, as well as small household items (pots and pans, housewares, bed linens, and small appliances, such as toasters or coffeemakers). Please, no furniture, or anything big and bulky. These items will be distributed at the Church’s Saturday food pantry.
DROP OFF LOCATION:
Church of Epiphany and Christ Church
105 Main Street, Orange
(Enter the building at the back of the parking lot into Parish Hall.)
DROP-OFF TIMES:
Saturdays, 9 am-1:30 pm
Questions? Call Kerin at 973-609-0203.
Giving Back to TSTI
There are also opportunities to give back to TSTI directly through service to the Temple. Whether you’d like to organize the Blood Drive, volunteer to usher for holidays, or help plan adult learning opportunities, it’s a great way to meet new people and give back at the same time. Contact Beth Blackman to learn more.