Baltimore Hebrew Congregation to Perform Annual Mitzvah by Serving Christmas Dinner at Our Daily Bread

17 Dec 09 12:00 AM CST

Volunteers from Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Pikesville will serve and prepare the holiday meal on Christmas Day, December 25, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Catholic Charities' Our Daily Bread. Our Daily Bread daily hot meal program is located at 725 Fallsway inside of Our Daily Bread Employment Center. 

Rabbi Rex Perlmeter and members from the synagogue have cooked and served a traditional holiday meal at the hot meal program on Christmas day since 1994. The involvement of the synagogue was initiated through the volunteer efforts of congregant Lee Egerton who regularly serves at Our Daily Bread since 1992. The incentive to serve on the Christian holy day was a mitzvah, a kindness to others in acknowledgment that Christian volunteers would want to spend the day with loved ones.

"From turkey, dressing, assorted sides, and desserts, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation makes sure our guests experience all the trimmings of a traditional feast," says Our Daily Bread Manager Christine Kay. "They perform an invaluable service for our guests and fellow volunteers that is greatly appreciated. They are real mensches." Members also serve every fourth Wednesday, bringing 60-80 casseroles that are prepared by children who are preparing for their bar mitzvah.

To operate efficiently, 35 volunteers are needed each day to serve the noon meal that is brought to the table for each guest. A corps of volunteers from churches, synagogues, businesses and civic groups prepare casseroles that are the staple of the program. On average, 700 people eat each day with 267,397 meals served in 2008. Since opening its doors in 1982, Our Daily Bread has never closed.

More information about Our Daily Bread Hot Meal Program

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