I want to thank everyone for giving so much to our community and the larger community this year.

home slideshow food bank orangesWe continue to be very active supporting programs that help people in need of healthy food by going to the Redwood Empire Food Bank monthly, filling bags of whatever fresh food is available. The food bank supports thousands of families and individuals in Sonoma County and Clearlake.
Our Redwood Empire Food Bank is a state of the art facility. It is huge, clean and airy, has a wonderful warehouse with a huge freezer and refrigerated unit. It is a model for providing fresh, frozen, and staple foods to those in need, funded by donations from our local communities and organizations. It is truly something we should be very proud of. If you have never been there I really suggest that you take a tour.
We have set dates to volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank for the next 3 months: the first Wednesday of the month, from 10–noon, on Jan.7, Feb. 4, and March 4.

We also continue to help Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) by filling their pantry with the food provided by your generous contributions. Monthly, volunteers from our committee go to the food bank and get the needed supplies for the pantry. Since we have been doing this, the JFCS has had much healthier food. Thank you so much for those in the congregation who have made a habit of bringing food when you come to Beth Ami. JFCS always are in need of certain items: canned soups,peanut butter, gluten free foods (especially pasta and crackers) dry cereal, canned chili (not just beans).

Another organization that we will be supporting this year is The Dr. James E. Coffee Teen Shelter that provides housing and counseling services to teenagers who need a home while there is a crisis in their lives. The shelter is one of the valuable services provided by Social Advocates of Youth (SAY). SAY has been helping young adults in our community for over 35 years. They will be opening the Dream Center in 2015, located at the old Warrack Hospital.

The teen shelter is always in need of toiletries for their residents, We will have another container in the foyer for such articles as shampoo, hygiene needs, soap, creams. (No hotel samples please, as it is for everyone.)
The Soup Sisters plan to make another hearty soup in January. We will let you know when it is available.
Please consider joining our lively group.

I want to personally thank the SAC members for their hard work and dedication for making our community a safer and better place: Tish Levy, Barbara Tomin, Carol Swanson, Susan Miller (nurse), Cheryle Stern Miller, Roz Edelson, Ellen Mundell, Karen Herskovic, Judi Hyman, Andy Goodman, Bernice Fox, Ethel Schy, Lenore Hollaway, Lyla Nathan and Carolyn Metz. Also thank you to Linda Emblen and Ruth and Ira Rosenberg who are regulars at the food bank.

Hope that 2015 is a good year for all.