More than 200,000 pounds of food will be packed Sunday, April 10, as Maot Chitim-the Jewish charity that fights hunger-prepares to feed 15,000 people for the eight days of Passover, which starts the evening of Friday, April 22.

Boxes of food will be delivered a week later to more than 5,000 individual homes as well as to college Hillels, The Ark, Operation Ezra, food pantries, shelters, and other funds. Each box will contain kosher chicken, matzoh, onions, celery, carrots, wine, matzoh meal, potato starch, soup mix, cake, tea, and candles-all the necessities for preparing food for the Passover Seder and for the eight
days following.

“We believe we are delivering Jewish continuity,” says Joellyn Oliff, Executive Director of Maot Chitim, headquartered in Lincolnwood. “Because of us, many needy community members will be able to have a traditional kosher holiday meal.”

The Hebrew words “maot chitim” come from the Torah and refers to the centuries old custom of leaving the corners of one’s field unharvested-so the poor can gather wheat to provides themselves with sustenance. Maot Chitim in Chicago is more than 100 years old. Originally, Rabbis set up tables in front of their synagogues and gave money to those in need so they could provide themselves with meals for Passover.

“Today, we buy 45,000 pounds of kosher chicken, 11,000 dozen eggs, and everything else with money that we get individual donations throughout the city,” Oliff says.

“We are delighted to say that we have second and third generations of families who continue to deliver packages to the needy,” Oliff adds. “This is an opportunity for people to actually see the persons they are helping.”

To volunteer or donate, call (847) 674-3224 or go to www.maotchitim.org .

Maot Chitim is a special grantee of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.