Rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and bad weather are threatening the world’s food supply. A decreased food supply will inevitably increase the cost of basic foods. This phenomenon will ultimately hurt the poor more than anyone else economists say.
Price hikes for food items such as cereal, vegetable oil, pasta, butter, coffee, and beef coincide with a time when farmers worldwide face a variety of hurdles, including drought, crop destruction, ice storms, an increase in fuel and fertilizer prices, as well as labor shortages. The COVID-19 lockdowns and supply chain disruptions both contribute to these challenges.
Economist Maurice Obstfeld told the New York Times that higher food prices would weaken the level of income in poor countries. He noted that it is plausible to say that we are approaching a worldwide food crisis, caused by increased unemployment, stagnant growth, and burdensome government budgets from spending on the Covid restrictions.
Israel is no exception.
Like many other countries, Israel must prepare for food shortages that will hurt the poor and working classes. Thankfully, there is one social organization that is preparing for that day by stocking their nationwide Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens with meals for anyone in need – Meir Panim.
And there is no better time to support its efforts to protect Israel’s poor than on the holiday of Purim. That’s because Purim demands commandments such as a festive Purim meal (Seudat Purim), charity (Matanot L’evyonim), and food packages (Mishloach Manot).
Mishloach Manot, translated as ‘sending portions of food’, is the commandment to give two separate foods, which are ready to eat, to at least one person on Purim. Mordechai, one of the heroes of Purim, instituted the practice of Mishloach Manot as is quoted in the Book of Esther:
That is why village Yehudim, who live in unwalled towns, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and make it a day of merrymaking and feasting, and as a holiday and an occasion for sending gifts to one another. (Esther 9:19)
Meir Panim is offering people looking to bless Israel with the opportunity to give an Israeli child the food they need on Purim with customized Mishloach Manot baskets.
Meir Panim also provides a festive Purim meal as is commanded as well. Those delectable warm meals are offered by Meir Panim to those who need them.
This saintly organization also provides Matanot L’evyonim (charity) – another commandment on the holiday of Purim, Meir Panim gives these impoverished families much-needed money that they can then spend on basic necessities in addition to providing essential food items.
This means that now can be your chance to take part in the Purim holiday in Israel and feed a hungry child who would like nothing more than to celebrate the holiday just like every other kid in Israel.
And you can do that by making a contribution to Meir Panim. The money you donate will go towards Matanot L’evyonim and Mishloach Manot.
Every kid in Israel deserves to celebrate Purim on a full stomach. By donating to Meir Panim today, you can make that happen.
