Their story is a testament to the power of community action. Its impact on the community has been breathtaking, and today, over 30 institutions participate in this powerful network. Volunteers in Action One group of Jewish volunteers collects non-perishable food and distributes it to the needy. Another group call the elderly who live alone and have no relatives. Medical professionals also have joined this volunteer network to provide health care.
Many centers serve hot meals or give people box lunches to take home.
Virtually every Jewish institution has volunteers who collect and distribute clothing. When Jewish schools submitted an urgent request for help to defray the costs of Hebrew classes and general academic support for children whose parents were experiencing economic hardship, VER's volunteers responded enthusiastically. They also collected and distributed 6,000 non-perishable goods and 6,000 school supply kits. Once a week, they delivered 1,000 food packages to needy individuals. Young People Answer the Call for Help Not to be outdone by their parents, students eagerly answered VER's call for help.