Teaneck—According to a recent Huffington Post Survey, Americans end up throwing away nearly half of their food, almost $165 billion worth, wasted annually. In fact, an average family of four ends up disposing of up to $2, 275 worth of food each year.
About 10 years ago, Josh Klavan, a Bergen County resident, decided to do something about this excess. Inspired by a similar organization in Monsey, he started Shearit Ha Plate, a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, repackaging, and donating leftover food to those in need. Josh acknowledges that through his “dedicated and diverse volunteer base they are not only able to rescue food that is going to waste but also help so many people in our community that can use the assistance.”
Through Shearit Ha Plate, individuals in need, or those who know of such individuals, can contact the organization and arrange to pick up meals that are stored and refrigerated in a volunteer’s garage. These donations come from the leftovers of local kosher businesses and caterers with accepted kosher supervision, such as Ma’adan, Best Glatt, Poppy’s Bagels, Shelley’s, and Sababa Grill among many others. Because of kashrut concerns, no personally prepared food is accepted. Josh and his wife Esther personally pick up the food from the donors and dedicated volunteers then repackage the donations so they can be picked up for delivery within 24 hours. The recipients are treated respectfully and the pickups are private, always maintaining the self-esteem of the individuals involved.
Now that Purim is approaching, the organization is gearing up for its annual Post-Purim Food Drive. There will be a pod stationed outside co-founder Yoni Lieber’s home at 1212 Kensington Ave., Teaneck, where one can drop off all those extra, packaged Shalach Manot candies and drinks. No opened boxes or loose candy will be accepted. Other drop-off points are at local shuls: Keter Torah, Rinat, Beth Aron, Beth Abraham and Sharei Tefilah, as well as at residences at 927 Red Road and 777 Dearborn Ave. both in Teaneck and 178 Sherwood Place in Englewood. All donations will be directed to various children’s centers like Tomorrow’s Children, food pantries, and even to our servicemen. Donating your extras in this way is a wonderful way to avoid those calories, perform a mitzvah, and clean for Pesach at the same time.
To learn how to donate food or money to Shearit Ha Plate, please visit their website at SHPBC.org. or call 225-don8-fud. All monetary donations are tax exempt and are used to cover the cost of refrigeration and repackaging of food. If you wish to become a volunteer, contact Susan Fisch at [email protected], Fern Amper at [email protected], or Daniel Chazin at [email protected].
This Purim and all year long let’s avoid unnecessary waste by donating to Shearit Ha Plate so that others can have enough to eat.\
By Estelle Glass
