The association that feeds 2,000 Holocaust survivors every day needs your help - voila! Food

Mandy Karlenstein, the man behind the kitchen activities of the association "Live with Dignity" (Photo: Public Relations)

In a reality where there are 30,000 Holocaust survivors who live below the poverty line and thousands of other elderly people who are in the same situation, the food provided by the "Live with Dignity" association is a lifeline that relieves them of worrying about the most basic thing a human being has, food.

On the eve of Holocaust Day, the association launched a campaign - to donate about one million more meals to about 3,000 elderly people and other Holocaust survivors, who will receive a hot meal every day in the coming year.

To save more Holocaust survivors, click here>>>

Mandy Karlenstein is the man behind the kitchen activities of the "Living with Dignity" association, which provides about 2,000 meals every day for the elderly and Holocaust survivors throughout the country.

Roughly calculated, this is about 12,000 to 14,000 meals each week.

How do you cook such quantities?

How many donations are needed so that there will be no shortage of dishes during the activity?

These are fateful questions that will determine whether a Holocaust survivor or an elderly person living below the poverty line will be full - or will remain hungry.

Mandy Karlenstein, the man behind the kitchen activities of the association "Live with Dignity" (Photo: Public Relations)

30 years ago in a small, homely kitchen

The activities of the association "Living with Dignity" began 30 years ago in a small home kitchen with Mandy's mother and father, who currently manages the kitchen.

"It started as something small for the community and grew stronger," Mandy noted.

Today, after volunteering for four years in the association's kitchen, he manages all of his activities.

"The role of managing the kitchen is simply tailor-made for me. Today, the activity goes through my phone, my hands, and I have the great privilege of taking a significant part in the association's activities."

The kitchen of the "Living with Dignity" association works throughout the week from morning to evening.

They do not rest, so that they can provide the elderly and Holocaust survivors with the hot food they long for.

"We have about 30 distribution lines starting in Yehud and Hod Hasharon and reaching south to Beer Sheva.

"There are many elderly people who are unable to reach the distribution points. For those who cannot, we send them the food through our volunteers who do holy work every day."

To donate hot food to the elderly >>>

Elderly people and Holocaust survivors in the State of Israel face many difficulties.

They must support themselves under the cost of living from an old-age pension of only 1,680 NIS, which should be enough for adequate housing, medicine and food. Many of them are forced to choose between medicine and food, when the answer is quite clear, food becomes a luxury. Many elderly people find themselves in great loneliness and a

lot Difficulties characteristic of age Among the biggest difficulties is the inability to stand on one's feet and cook a hot meal for oneself.

Association to Live with Dignity (Photo: Public Relations)

"Seniors who are unable to cook for themselves get a hot meal"

The kitchen of the association "Live with Honor" comes to meet the needs of the elderly.

In this kitchen, emphasis is placed on preparing hot meals every day, which provide nutritious food and help the elderly avoid trying to stand on their feet and cook for themselves.

Mandy explains: "Our idea came from a need and a problem that many elderly people face. The elderly cannot stand and cook fresh food for themselves every day and the cooked food they receive from us answers exactly what they need."

The main activity of the association is providing hot food to the elderly, but in this meeting between volunteers and the elderly, a very special bond was formed which alleviates the terrible loneliness they live in.

The association and the people who represent it, constitute for the elderly a supportive community that cares for them and not only for food.

Mandy says: "You can say that the food is another reason to come to their home, sit with them, ask if they are okay or need anything. Many times the volunteers come to the elderly, see that a light bulb needs to be changed, see that the house needs to be whitewashed or that they need something else and they or us They are already taking care of it."

"What is more important than the food is the care, that they know they are part of a community and that they are not alone, there is someone who thinks about them and cares for them."

"Live with dignity" works through volunteers and donations.

Some of the donations come from good Jews abroad and some from good people in Israel who want to help. In this way, they manage to feed thousands of elderly people every day. Every donation has meaning and even the smallest donation helps the large organization that runs the kitchen. During the Corona period, the activity of the association increased greatly and the quantities were doubled and even tripled

.

"We try not to have any shortages. We work very hard to get donations so that there is no shortage. Everything here comes from donations from good people who saw us on social media and decided to give, everything is voluntary and we do everything in order to put out dishes that include meat, vegetables and carbohydrates," Mandy noted .

Your donation will help cook more meals for more seniors >>>

"The food that is cooked in the association's kitchen is very tasty and very varied food," Mandy pointed out and explained that there is a portion of meat, which changes from time to time, carbohydrates and vegetables.

All of these go into a five-pack and make up the lunch of thousands of seniors every day.

The elderly who are in contact with the association, receive every other day a bag that includes two loaves, soup, bread and other products that also come as a donation.

"The volunteers go out to the elderly with a bag that has two tins with cooked food, soup, bread and all kinds of extras. We receive a lot of donations of additional food items and I make sure that in each bag such surprises are also put in," Mandy surprised.

volunteers in the association, they are the ones who are in the field and they feel, feel and actually see the daily difficulties that the elderly and Holocaust survivors face.

The play can sometimes be difficult and painful, in view of the empty refrigerator or the house that has not been cleaned for a long time.

However, the smile of the elderly and their stories, create a deep connection.

They are waiting for the volunteers to come and have someone to sit and talk with.

"Work gave me drive to come back after an injury"

This is Mandy's experience: "This job for me is the reason to get up in the morning. Last year, I went on Passover vacation, I was on a trip and I was seriously injured. I was in a long rehabilitation for several months and this job gave me the drive to get back into business, because the elderly call and ask how are you? It's exciting , people need me out there, I can't give up"

"For me this job is more than a job, it's an integral part of my life. It started in my parents' kitchen, I kind of grew into it, it's not some job where I come, sign a ticket and go home , it's all mine and it fits my size."

"I invite anyone who wants to come and take part in our activity. You can come and volunteer with us and you can also help with donations. Every donation is welcomed and every donation is important so that we can continue to provide meals to these dear people."

Your donation is a great mitzvah for thousands of seniors.

Together we will reach one million meals for 3,000 Holocaust survivors for a whole year >>>

In cooperation with the "Living with Dignity" association

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• Holocaust and heroism day