This happens every month in a different city in Israel: Huge trucks unload pallets containing thousands of items of clothing, footwear, and toys from the best luxury companies in the US.
The items are arranged in a place determined in advance by the local welfare department, and are delivered there by those with limited means, in full coordination with the local welfare department.
Each visitor can receive a variety of items for their family members free of charge.
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This initiative by the Chabad Kollel will soon mark two years since it was first launched.
This is an initiative by American businessman Berel Eckstein, together with the Friendship Foundation, in which prominent companies in the American economy, including Old Navy, along with other trading companies such as Amazon and others, are sending large quantities of clothing, footwear, toys, and more to Israel for distribution to the underprivileged in Israeli cities.
All the goods that arrive are sorted, packaged for distribution and stored, courtesy of the donation of businessman Rabbi Meir Zeiler, in the company's halls in Kiryat Malachi.
The assistance system began in the first phase in Kiryat Malachi, for the underprivileged registered with the municipal welfare offices, and from there it expanded to dozens of cities in Israel.
""Since the war, everything has changed here," says Kobi Iloz, who coordinates the project on behalf of the Chabad kollel. "If at first we were operating in an organized manner in Israeli cities, then since the war we have begun to transfer the activity to the centers of evacuees from the conflict zones who were transferred to hotels and guesthouses. Every month we were in at least three concentrations of evacuees.".
Iloz says that the shift in activity during the war also changed the nature of the aid measures. "We offered more items like towels, bedding and basic things. Many families were displaced from their homes without any basic clothing," he says. "There were people in the winter months who were left without coats and the most basic clothing. We were there for them.".
In addition to ensuring quality products, Illoz says that emphasis is placed on a respectful assistance system that will make those with limited resources feel good. "The volunteers welcome visitors in a very respectful manner and provide them with service as if they were entering a store for anything," explains Illoz.
The many responses that flow to Iluz illustrate the importance of the distribution system. "We receive responses non-stop. An elderly person who receives warm clothing and a young person who receives decent clothing - it allows them to lead a pleasant and healthy lifestyle. Among the recipients of our service, there are also youth on the street, who receive decent clothing that literally lifts them out of the garbage.".
Illoz notes that the volunteers feel great satisfaction in their work. "There's nothing like giving and helping people, especially during a time like this. With each distribution, we all feel renewed joy for this great privilege.".
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