CHESED + TZEDAKAH = MITZVAH GALORE
Purim Food Donation Drop Off
Sponsored by the TBH Homelessness Task Force
Sunday, March 13, 10:00 am-12:00 pm at TBH parking lot
Wednesday, March 16, 5:00-6:00 pm at Pioneer Park

On Purim it is traditional to give gifts of food, mishloach manot, and gifts to the poor, mahatzit hashekel. As part of our monthly tzedakah project to support our homeless neighbors we are collecting food that will be distributed on Purim.

 Every year we collect boxes of noodles and rice to use as groggers while listening to the Megillah. These will be delivered to the Thurston County Food Bank.

 This year we are also collecting single serving, individually wrapped, non perishable food and drink items. These will be delivered to the Olympia Downtown Association/Alliance (ODA). The ODA employs Guides who walk around in bright blue jackets. They engage with folks who are unhoused or unsheltered and living on the street in downtown Olympia. They help connect them to services and hand out snacks, water, socks, hand warmers, etc if needed.

Donations may be dropped off on Sunday March 13, from 10-12 at TBH (this coincides with the Purim “learn and play” activity) and on Wednesday March 16, from 5-6 (this coincides with the Purim party and Megillah reading). If you have a donation and are unable to make these times, please contact Kayla to drop off at TBH prior to Purim.

 Remember the focus of the Purim drive is food. There are two options:

1. Individually wrapped, single serving, non perishable food and drinks. Sometimes these are called lunchbox size. Please focus on nutritious snacks like protein bars, nuts, bottled water, jerky, dried fruit, protein shakes.
2. Boxes of rice and noodles. Something that will make noise when Haman’s name is read

The needs of our homeless neighbors are many. If you want more information about what is being done in our local area to support the unhoused and unsheltered check out these organizations. You can donate money, supplies, or time directly.

• Community Youth Services https://communityyouthservices.org/
• Interfaith works - https://www.interfaith-works.org
• Olympia Free Clinic https://www.theolympiafreeclinic.org/
• Olympia Mutual Aid Partner olymap.org
• SafePlace https://www.safeplaceolympia.org/
• Thurston County Food Bank https://thurstoncountyfoodbank.org/
• Union Gospel Mission https://ougm.org/