Hi, I’m Ray McDonald with Leket Israel, the National Food Bank.
I am currently in Kiryat Shmona, a community of about 25,000 people. On October 7th, 2023, Hamas launched a terror attack against Israel’s south. Shortly after, later that same day, rockets began descending upon this small community. You can see the results; about 1,700 rockets have landed here.
Word got out quickly that the situation was dire in the south and now the north. People who could leave this community left before the end of that day. However, many couldn’t leave—a few thousand people had to stay behind. Many are elderly or experiencing physical handicaps. They stayed, and they needed help; they needed food.
Leket quickly swung into action, providing about 1,000 meals per day. Now, about 7,000 people have returned, making the current population here around 15,000. Life here is difficult and dangerous, but your support means so much to Israelis in need.
Your support to Leket is providing vital food assistance to people throughout the country. About 20% of Israel’s population is not receiving the nutrition it needs each day. I encourage you to search your heart regarding the situation here in Israel. My prayer is that you would decide to be involved in what God is doing in restoring the people to this land in fulfillment of His covenant promises.
Is it easy? Absolutely not. Was it ever easy? Even when reading our scriptures, we see it has always been difficult. “Leket” is a biblical word which means “to glean.” You can be involved in assisting and fulfilling that ancient biblical mitzvah in providing food for Israel’s needy.
Thank you, and God bless you.