“Come and Eat” hunger initiative provides meals for those in need
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - On Friday, March 8, 7th and 8th grade students from Milken Community High School fed the hungry in four different locations in the San Fernando Valley. Students, their advisors and teachers participated in the “Come and Eat,” initiative, preparing and serving lunch for those in need around the area. Lunches were held in four sites: First Baptist Church and Christ Chapel of the Valley, in North Hollywood; Hope of the Valley in Sun Valley; and Central Lutheran Church in Van Nuys.
“This Service Learning experience provided the opportunity for our students to respond to those in the community faced with food insecurity,” said Wendy Ordower, Director of Service Learning at Milken.
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Tablecloths, place settings and delicious aromas awaited guests as they entered each location, which were transformed into restaurant-like settings.
Students warmly welcomed guests and, in one location, a student pianist entertained attendees with various musical selections.
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Lively melodies filled the room as guests dined on appetizers, sandwiches, pasta, salads, and desserts, which were donated by the students and their parents. With the goal of creating a restaurant-like experience, students waited tables and interacted with the diners as they took orders and ensured everyone was well taken care of.
This marked the second year of “Come and Eat,” a joint project between Milken and Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission in Sun Valley. Originally conceived two years ago by Rabbi Sarah Brandes, a former Rabbi at Milken, as a year-long project to help students learn to better address food insecurity and gain direct service experience, panim el panim—face to face experience serving someone else in the community.
Planning the event took three months; students were involved in all aspects of the event, creating the menu, preparing the food, serving and cleaning up.
“All of the 185 middle school students explored the topic through a Jewish lens, and they donated, created and served a beautiful meal with dignity, and they shared meaningful reflection with their classmates. This is our classic model of Jewish service learning at Milken,” said Ordower.
About Milken Community High School
Milken Community High School’s mission is to develop students with sharp minds, generous hearts and kind souls. A college preparatory school, grades 7-12 in Los Angeles, California, Milken provides academic excellence, a supportive pluralistic community and fosters a deep connection to Israel, a lifelong dedication to the Jewish people, and a passionate commitment to the service of humanity.
For more information contact Andrea Smith at 310 440-3500 ext. 3657
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