2 minute read
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Shayna Klopott
Introducing our new series where we spotlight volunteers in the Beth El community that make our community so wonderful. Want to nominate someone to spotlight? Email Morgan at mlong@bethelnr.org
Shayna coordinates Beth El volunteers to shop for food, cook, and deliver food with HOPE Community Services & Food Pantry to those most in need in the New Rochelle community.
What inspired you to get involved with HOPE Community Services & Food Pantry?
HOPE fills an extraordinary need in our local community. During the Pandemic, I was inspired by the work that HOPE was doing to meet the community’s growing needs, including their addition of a kosher food pantry. At the same time, I was looking for a way to involve families with children in community service projects. It’s often hard to find a consistent project that will allow young children to participate. Having discussed this idea with Rabbi Sitkin, I was thrilled when he reached out and said that HOPE was looking for volunteers to cook for their soup kitchen. My hope was that we could inspire families with children to come to shop, cook and deliver meals for the soup kitchen.
What would you say to anyone thinking about getting involved?
There is a lot of flexibility in this project. You can volunteer to cook monthly, or come once. We would love to have your children participate and will find an ageappropriate job for them in the kitchen. If cooking isn’t your thing, we can use volunteers to shop and deliver the food to HOPE.
What have you personally gained from this experience?
What do you most enjoy about volunteering with HOPE?
Shopping at Costco for giant containers of tomato sauce! I’m only sort of kidding. During a busy week last spring, I took an hour out of my day to go shopping with a fellow congregant and had a lovely conversation about Beth El’s families and how great it is to see all the little kids, including her grandchildren,
in shul. I also love hanging out with the other volunteers while we cook. It’s a great way to get to know people (better) and to do some good at the same time. Shayna Klopott I’ve gained a greater appreciation of the needs that members of the New Rochelle community face and built some great relationships with other Beth El families looking to make a difference!
What kind of impact do you hope to have on the community?
I think that participating in cooking for HOPE not only helps Beth El members contribute to the wider community, but also strengthens the bonds of our community.
