Temple Sholom Students Help Homeless Feel at Home

Two Temple Sholom students are working to help the homeless get back on their feet.

As part of their bar mitzvah project, Garrett Szeto and Pierce Johnston are collecting household items and creating welcome baskets to give to homeless families who are transitioning into housing.

Their efforts are in connection with HomeFirst, a nonprofit organization that provides permanent and temporary housing to those in need.

So far, the two boys have created more than 20 baskets. They don't plan to stop anytime soon.

“Garrett mentioned it to me, and I thought it was a great idea because this is something that people would actually donate to and there are kids who are less fortunate than us,” Pierce said.

The project is a requirement for becoming a Bar of Bat Mitzvah, as students at Temple Sholom must show that they realize their personal responsibility to make the world a better place.

“During this economic crisis, it makes it even harder for homeless people to have supplies to live, so I figured that this is the best time to help the world and give back because I have been lucky to have a home,” Garrett said.

The two boys are currently accepting donations to help with their efforts, and are asking for items such as cleaning supplies, dishes, towels and linens, pots and pans, and non-perishable food.

Donations can be dropped off during office hours at the Temple Sholom office, located at the Fanwood Presbyterian Church, 74 S. Martine Avenue (at LaGrande Avenue) in Fanwood. For more information, call Temple Sholom at 908-889-4900 or e-mail sholom@sholomnj.org.