Feed a Child

Shortly after the 12-day war, we visited one of the high schools where Feed A Child sponsors several students. While we were there delivering birthday baskets to the front office, a young lady who had been part of the Feed A Child program for many years walked in. She had just graduated from high school a few days earlier with honors and came specifically to thank Bridges for Peace for the support she had received over the years. Her mother accompanied her, and together they expressed heartfelt gratitude for the daily hot lunches, contributions toward textbooks, a backpack at the beginning of each school year, school supplies, and the annual birthday basket. As a single mother raising her children alone, the assistance meant even more to her. Toward the end of the visit, one of our volunteers quietly spoke with the young graduate and asked if she could give her a special graduation gift a gold necklace with a Star of David, the same one the volunteer was wearing. The young woman’s eyes filled with tears as she said she would love that very much. She then asked if she could give the volunteer a hug. Tears flowed on both sides as they embraced a beautiful, emotional moment. Glory to God for sweet exchanges like this!

We love to celebrate here in Israel, especially when it gives us a chance to party with the amazing children on our Feed a Child Program! With March celebrating the feast of Purim, the deliverance of God’s people from evil, we bought lots of Purim candy baskets for the children and delivered them in costume. The children love seeing us dressed up and celebrating with them! We delivered some of the baskets after the feast too, getting the children to share what their costumes were showed so much of their joy and creativity. Some of them were very shy about what they were while others couldn't wait to tell us they were superman, or batman.

This month it was wonderful to be back in the schools following their summer vacation. Last year our school in Kiryat Ekron was able to provide Judo classes for the children on our program. Through the year we heard how much they were enjoying the sessions and how their confidence has grown noticeably. When arriving at the school we were ushered into the sports hall where all the children were waiting patiently. Soon the theme song for Rocky was echoing through the room as the children went through a 5-minute routine, demonstrating the skills they had learned. It was amazing to see children who have been so shy in the past fully engage and show off the skills they have learned. Following which we were able to distribute the school supplies needed for the next school year.  Though this was such a welcome and enjoyable experience, the visit had its weight. While we were there a siren went off in the school, thankfully it was a drill and not an attack. Speaking with the teacher she explained that they do a drill like that every single day, this way the children are not worried if it does happen but know exactly what to do and don’t get stressed. We also met two brothers who recently joined our program. Both parents were killed in the Nova festival and they now live with their grandmother.  Thank you for your support and for the way you faithfully support the children of Israel. To be here during these times is so crucial, showing up not just to celebrate new skills and growth, but also to stand with and encourage in hardship. Being a light, shining for the children, through which they feel loved and supported.

The Feed A Child team would like to share a heartfelt story of an Ethiopian boy in our program. He has grown up in a family of six with financial difficulties and has been in our program since 2021. This year he is finishing up his fourth grade in elementary school. As he received his birthday basket, he decided to write a letter to his donors. It said: “Thank you for helping me all these years and helping me with my struggles and giving me stuff to help me.” When the Feed A Child team was in the process of creating children’s profiles, his profile stood out to us among the hundreds. He wrote, “What I love most in the world are my friends... My most favorite things are playing with my friends and drawing pictures... My future dream is to have more friends…” When we read it, we felt the loneliness in this precious boy’s heart as he longed to have more friends. In his struggles in his school life, he could have textbooks like other children and eat hot lunch every day. He could participate in afterschool programs and go on field trips with his friends because of the donors’ generous love and support. We greatly appreciate all the donors from around the world for their hearts to stand with Israel, because this is why we serve - to sow the seeds of God’s love that impacts now and forever.

The Feed a Child team had a wonderful opportunity to deliver a gift and a letter from a donor to a boy in Beit Shemesh. The boy was so curious and asked us, “Why does this person (donor) know about me?” as he received the gift. The coordinator explained that through his profile, the donors learn about him. In fact, his parents got divorced, and his mom has been raising him and his siblings by herself. It was so special for him to receive a gift from someone else even from a person he does not know! He said, “Toda!” as he left the room with a big smile on his face. During recess time, we saw him holding the letter from the donor so dearly against his arm as he played with his friends. It shows how much it meant for him to receive the letter from a Christian donor who extended a hand of what he truly needed - love and care. We are so thankful to witness that the seeds of love are surely sown in the hearts of children of Israel at this time because of the generous support of Christians from all around the world.

It was such a pleasure and joy to deliver a generous gift of a laptop to an Ethiopian girl who is in the fifth grade in Beit Shemesh. A thoughtful donor couple ensured the girl would receive a decent laptop that she could use for a long time. The Feed A Child team explained to the girl the donors’ love and care for her and for her to succeed in her studies. She was excited and overwhelmed at the same time as she did not expect to receive this precious gift. In the end, she came up to us, gave us a hug, and said, “Toda (Thank you)!” with a sweet smile on her face. The school coordinator was also deeply touched by witnessing the love from the Christians. We are so thankful for all the donors who constantly show the love of God to the precious children of Israel through their generous donations. Your support is genuinely impacting the hearts of the people of Israel. The Feed A Child team would like to share a glimpse of how much children in our program get thrilled to receive birthday baskets from the donors! We deliver birthday baskets to eleven schools monthly or bimonthly depending on the situation in Israel. A boy who is in the fifth grade was longing to receive his birthday basket, so he came by the school office every day to ask when he would be able to receive one. A girl in Karmiel who is in the second grade rushed into the principal's room to ask us about her birthday basket. It was so adorable that her birthday was actually a month later, so we promised to bring one for her on our next visit (and we did!). Another girl who has been in our program for 6 years happily conveyed to us that she has a collection of the water bottles at home from Bridges. More than we can ever comprehend, every gift from the donors around the world brings much love and joy to the lives of all the precious little ones in Israel. We greatly appreciate all the donors’ hearts and generosity.  

This month was very special as the Feed A Child team had an opportunity to go to one school where we only had a single greeting card from a donor to deliver to a girl. We patiently waited as the school staff called her out of her classroom, unsure of what her reaction might be. When the girl received the card, she couldn't fathom why someone would send her a card out of the blue. She kept questioning the coordinator, “What is this gift for? For what?” The girl couldn't comprehend why she was receiving a card without any apparent reason. The coordinator gently reassured her, explaining that the card was a demonstration of care from someone who wanted her to know she mattered.  What made the moment truly touching was the content of the card itself. It was personalized, mentioning the girl's enjoyment of gym class and the need to keep on working on her Torah (Gen.–Deut.) studies. The girl was astonished. How could someone know these details about her? The coordinator reminded her that she wrote it in her profile that was sent to the donor, who genuinely cares and remembers the girl’s interests and struggles.  She knew that the gesture wasn't tied to a birthday or special occasion. It was a simple, yet a profound act of kindness and love of the donor, who showed her that someone out there cared enough to reach out and make her feel special.

This month, the Feed A Child team had an amazing opportunity to deliver a Newborn Basket to one of the coordinators in a Beit Shemesh school. As we visited the school to deliver the birthday baskets, the coordinator shared her story of how much she was struggling and also her great joy when her daughter gave birth to a baby boy a few days before! As we witnessed the sadness and joy, as Christians we wanted to celebrate a new life, bring joy and show her extra love and care. So, we planned to visit her the following week since we were already scheduled to be in the same area. The moment came when we stopped at the school and surprised her with a visit. She was so amazed to see us and to receive the Newborn Basket for her grandchild. After she received the basket, she started to look at all the items we had included—from the stuffed animal to the baby clothes—with such a gentle smile. She told us, “You guys touched me deeply. Last week when you came, you listened to what I was saying and showed sensitivity and care. I did not expect it. You guys are above and beyond. Thank you so, so much.” We told her that all the items in the basket are from Christians in Canada and around the world. We see her every month, but this special gift made it personal for her and showed her that she is also cared for by the Christians around the world. We really appreciate all the donors who make it possible to show extra love and care for the people in Israel, the ones the Lord dearly loves!

This month, we (the Feed a Child department) have a very special story to share, one full of hope. A teacher at one of our Beit Shemesh schools reached out as one of the children in her class and on our program was really having a difficult time. His parents were recently divorced and he is also diabetic. With the tension between his parents, he was not receiving the level of care needed, both with regards to the food needed to manage his diabetes or the appropriate clothes for the season. The teacher had noticed this because the boy was arriving at school looked neglected and did not have a coat or warm clothes, even on days when it was raining. She commented that one day he arrived soaked through and shivered through his first class of the day until he dried off enough to be able to warm up. Using our non-pledge donations, we were able to provide a large sum of money via gift cards, which the teacher then used to go with the student and buy clothes that are appropriate for the weather and fit him properly. With the love of those who give, trusting that their finances will get used where it is most needed in the lives of these precious children, we were able to make a significant difference in this boy’s life. He will always remember the day he got a brand new coat to keep him warm and dry, new shoes to walk, run, and play in, and clothes that help him fit in and engage with his peers.

Dear Bridges for Peace, I have needed to write you this letter for a while. I have been an elementary and then a junior high/high school teacher for the last 11 years. I have seen the volunteer groups that have come to my school to work with the students. I have seen the gift packages on the students’ birthdays. I have seen the food packages and food coupons on the Jewish holidays. I have seen the food provided at lunch and dinner times during the teaching sessions to help them succeed in school and not drop out. I have seen the smiles on their faces when they get a letter or a card from their sponsors. I have seen them say with pride to another student, “I am a Bridges for Peace student. I have someone out there who cares for me and helps me so I can stay in school.” Bridges for Peace, you do amazing work. Your dedication to the students is commendable. They see that someone is looking out for them and helping to ensure their success in their schoolwork and ultimately in their life. They feel privileged to have the opportunity to be anything and the opportunity to achieve more than their parents did. They know it is because you believe in them and desire to help them achieve something that most of their family cannot do without help. An education and a Bagrut (matriculation) certificate means that they can go to university and strive for success in their choice of profession and their life. Bridges for Peace, Yasher Koach! Good job! Thanks for being there for our students. Pearl Peller English Teacher and Coordinator

My name is Miki. I live in Beit Shemesh and I am in the 12th grade. I have overcome many difficulties in my life such as knee problems that have caused me much pain over the years. I recently recovered from COVID-19, although I am in much danger because I have only one lung, so I am in a high-risk group. I also have a rare eye disorder that makes my eyes tired all the time and affects me every day. In my free time, I like to make animations, to be with the people I love, and I am really good at English. I am very appreciative of the help that Bridges for Peace gives me because I do not have many people who have been there for me when I needed them. Bridges for Peace surely is one. Thank you!

As part of my job, I meet so many families in need, and the one thing I have learned is the importance of hope. No matter how bad things get, they must continue to have hope for a better future. It is what keeps them going from day to day. Bridges for Peace provides that hope. The appreciation I see when we give out gift baskets or food packages before a holiday always lifts my heart. When they receive a special gift or even just a letter, the excitement in their eyes is so extraordinary. When they realize that they are not alone and that someone truly cares about them, the look on their face always fills me with hope. Too many children these days have to grow up too fast. When a child cannot concentrate on his studies because he worries about how his parents will pay the rent this month and if he will even have a place to live, homework looks trivial by comparison. When a child comes to school hungry and has no idea where his next meal is coming from, how can we expect him to concentrate in class? Giving these children security and peace of mind, knowing that they will receive their books on time with everyone else, and having a hot, nutritious lunch makes all the difference in the world. That is what Bridges for Peace gives them, security and peace of mind. The hope that tomorrow will be better and the knowledge that someone somewhere is thinking of them. Thank you, Bridges for Peace! Sharona Catane, Projects Manager