As Purim approaches, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit is joining UJA-Federation of New York for Pack It Up for Purim, a vital effort to feed the hungry.

Each year, Jews around the world send food packages to their neighbors as part of the Purim celebration. In the spirit of the holiday, we hope to collect 3,000 packages filled with nutritious nonperishable items.

This year, your food package will be part of an incredible effort to deliver one million meals to hungry New Yorkers through Feeding Our Neighbors: An Interfaith Response. Inspired by a mutual tradition of healing and hope, UJA-Federation and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York are organizing this initiative.

To make it easier for you to create a nutritious package, just select seven items from our shopping list:

1 box of whole-grain cereal or oatmeal
1 box of pasta
1 can of vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, corn)
1 bag of rice
1 box of 100 percent fruit juice
1 package of dried fruit or granola bars
1 can of tuna
1 package of dried beans (or canned beans or peas)
1 jar of peanut butter (plastic containers only)
1 dessert (nonperishable)

Paper plates, plastic cutlery, and plastic cups are most welcome

We’ll be collecting all food packages from Thursday, February 5th to Purim Day, Thursday, March 5th, at the Bayit’s coat room.