Dozens of synagogues and Jewish agencies from around the Bay are hoping to set new records with this year’s annual High Holy Days food drive.
The campaign, now in its 13th year, collects donations of nonperishable food along with money to benefit local food banks.
In Alameda County, organizers at 10 congregations hope to gather more than 20,000 pounds of food for needy residents.
Dan McClosky, a congregant at Oakland’s Temple Sinai who heads the county’s yearly drive, said families will be given bags at the end of Rosh Hashanah services on Saturday, Sept. 27 and asked to bring them back filled when they return for Yom Kippur on Sunday, Oct. 5.
The San Francisco Food Bank hopes to collect 18,000 pounds of food and $9,800 in donations this year from 19 participating organizations.
Similar efforts are under way in Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
People interested in contributing food or cash should contact their local synagogue or the food bank in their community.