For preschool children, the only thing better than performing a mitzvah is performing a mitzvah on a full-size school bus. On Monday, students at Suburban Torah’s Iris Berman Early Childhood Center had the opportunity to participate in Livingston’s Stuff the Bus for CHOW (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse). A project of Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors (LNHN), CHOW serves over 30 Livingston families, some with children, and excess food is donated to other area food pantries including Oheb Shalom. “Stuff the Bus for CHOW has been running for the last five years and we are thrilled to have IBECC join the program,” said LNHN President Stacey Rubinstein. “The idea behind the drive is to provide a memorable experience in giving, so that children connect with philanthropy and what it means to do a mitzvah.”

The children were thrilled to see a real school bus pull into the school parking lot, where they each had a chance to bring the non-perishable items they had been collecting on board. “We are so excited to participate in this year’s Stuff the Bus for CHOW,” said IBECC director Rachelle Zomick. “Even our youngest students are taught the importance of giving tzedakah to those less fortunate and this was an unbelievable opportunity for them to actively participate in giving something very tangible to people here in our own community.” The bus made a total of eight stops, including stops at the MetroWest JCC, Newark Academy and Livingston Township’s preschool. “We are always aiming to get the kids excited about tikkun olam and, for most of our students, this was their first time on a bus,” said Mrs. Zomick. “It was obviously a special experience for all of them.” CHOW also accepts food donations any time throughout the year at locations including Livingston Town Hall, Livingston Public Library and at the Livingston Senior/Community Center. For more information on CHOW and LNHN, contact Kacie Schmidt, Livingston Township’s social worker at (973) 535-7961, ext. 231.