By Aaron Shaykevich, Opinions Editor
Each month, the YU Observer aims to highlight one club available to the YU undergraduate community. For the April 2022 issue, the YU Observer is highlighting the Food 4 Thought Club.
Club Name: Food 4 Thought
Heads: President Racheli Jian, Vice President Will Besharim
Relevant Campus(es): Beren and Wilf
What is your club’s mission statement?
Food 4 Thought aims to reduce food waste on campus through donating the extra food from campus events and educating students on what they can do to reduce food waste.
Why is this club important?
Being a Jewish school, we should remember that one of the main ethical principles in Judaism is bal tashchit (to not destroy/waste). There is a substantial amount of food that gets thrown out on Shabbat alone. This club offers opportunities for students to prevent food waste while sharing with others.
What was your pull to get involved in/start the club?
Racheli: Everyone I spoke to who stays in for meals, both during the week and on Shabbat, mentioned to me how uncomfortable they felt throwing out perfectly good and untouched food. I thought that this club would offer students a way to prevent food waste on campus.
What are some things your club has done in the past?
We pack and deliver meals to homeless people every Shabbat. We organized a matanot l’evyonim (gifts to the poor that is done on Purim) packing event, which included making care packages with food, water, and encouraging handwritten notes. We also collaborated with the Jewish Community Council (JCC) of Washington Heights to raise money for Holocaust survivors.
What are some plans you have for this semester/future semesters?
In the future, our goals are to work together with Yeshiva University to distribute the extra food on campus not only to individual people in need but also to shelters, soup kitchens, or other organizations that help large groups of people. We also wish to distribute leftover food from any YU event and not just the remaining Shabbat food.
What is your advice to someone looking to get involved on campus?
If you are looking to join a club on campus, check your email or WhatsApp. There might be a lot of texts and emails, but you can find really exciting events or clubs.
Anything else to say about your club:
You can contact Racheli at rjian@mail.yu.edu or Will at besharim@mail.yu.edu. Look out for our emails for any upcoming events and join ourWhatsApp WhatsApp group chat.!
Are you a YU undergraduate club head interested in seeing your club featured in a future edition? Email us at theyuobserver@gmail.com with your club name and the names of the club heads!
Photo Credit: Food 4 Thought Club