Milk will flow this Shavuos in thousands of poor homes in Eretz Zavas Chalav U’devash, thanks to the giant chessed enterprise, Mesamche Lev. This Sunday, giant trailers unloaded skids of Tnuva products at a Mesamche Lev distribution site in Yerushalayim. The dairy products were sold at a fraction of their retail prices, allowing poor families to purchase cheese, yogurts, butter, pudding, and other delights in honor of Shavuos.

This was the second Mesamche Lev dairy products distribution. The first, which took place in three locations before Pesach, brought simchas Yom Tov to families that almost never indulge in “luxuries” such as yogurt and butter. The products filled homes with a sense of well being and joy on a Yom Tov when feeding children can be a challenge.

In response to the overwhelming popularity of the Pesach distribution, Mesamche Lev organized this week’s Shavuos event. The sale was open to all, and many families that struggle to get by, yet don’t depend on tzedakah, felt comfortable participating because it was a sale, not a giveaway. Yitta R., a high school mechaneches on a tight budget, was filling her shopping basket with milk, cheese, and sour cream.

“My daughter wanted to bake a cheese cake, and I didn’t know what to tell her, because the ingredients are so expensive. The recipe calls for soft cheese, butter, and sour cream. It can cost almost seventy NIS! But what’s Shavuos without cheese cake?” She lifted a container of cheese.

“Today we’re going to bake!” she said. “I’m buying this for five NIS (about $1.50). That’s a third of the price!” Near Yitta, a cluster of little girls were chattering in rapid-fire Hebrew about the pros and cons of different products. One little girl held up a four-pack of chocolate pudding.

“I had this on Pesach,” she said, her eyes wide in excitement. “It was meod meod taim – very delicious. My Ima said I can pick one treat for Shavuos, and I’m taking this.” Other children clutched different items, including chocolate milk, leben, and yogurts.
By day’s end, the giant Tnuva trailer was empty and thousands of refrigerators were full. Thousands of hearts were full, too; as families rejoiced at the prospect of celebrating Shavuos in time-honored fashion, with cheese cake and dairy delights that Bring Simcha to Life, thanks to Mesamche Lev and its donors.

Mesamche Lev is a giant tzedakah organization that brings joy to widows, orphans, and the poor. To donate, send your check to 1364 53rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204; call 708-506-1400; or visit mesamchelev.org .

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