FOOD DRIVE TO HELP ASYLUM SEEKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

At our Lunch & Learn with Denise Chang , executive director of Colorado Hosting Asylum Network (CHAN), we learned about the challenges and difficulties of our immigration system, including the lengthy and uncertain asylum process. Asylum seekers are prohibited from working for extended periods, making it difficult to support themselves or their families while they wait.  Pursuant to that program, the NCJW Colorado Action Team was formed.

 Leslie Tjarks, with guidance from CHAN, is chairing a food drive to help provide culturally-relevant food products for two families working with CHAN – a family from Guatemala and a family from Afghanistan.  Assisting with food is a time-honored Jewish tradition that is easy enough to do and much appreciated by the recipients.

Starting July 1 and running through the month of July, you will be able to make monetary  donations so that Leslie can purchase foods that will help provide these families with a taste of home.

Donations can be made online here or by scanning the QR code, by Venmo:  @NCJW-ColoradoSection, or by check payable to NCJW Colorado and sent to

                       NCJW Colorado, PO Box 460892, Denver, CO 80246.

Alternatively, you can donate items from the lists below  and drop them off with Leslie. While much of the food on the lists are basic items that can be used to create familiar “home town” recipes,  the lists also include some of the more culturally pertinent items.

For more information, to drop off food donations, or to help with any aspect of the food drive, please contact Leslie at leslietjarks@outlook.com,   303-810-2954 (cell) or 303-220-0189 (home).

PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE A TASTE OF HOME TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

                                                                 Ethnic Grocery List – Afghan                                                                                     

             Fruit: Apples, Bananas, Dates, Lemons, Oranges

  Vegetables: Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes

  Meat: Beef (Halal), Whole Chicken (Halal)                                                                         

             Dairy: Butter, Eggs, Plain Yogurt, Whole Milk                                                                    

             Grocery: Basmati Rice, Naan Bread, Almonds, Beans (Chick Peas, Kidney Beans, Green/Yellow Lentils, Pistachios

              Beverages: Case of Bottled Water, Green Tea, Juice, Case of Coke/Pepsi, Instant Coffee

              Spices/Condiments: Curry Powder, Corn Oil, Sugar, Yeast, Flour, Salt, Pepper, Tomato Paste

Ethnic Grocery List –  Central American

  Fruit: Plantain, Bananas, Oranges

  Vegetables: Carrots, Cilantro, Bell Peppers, Yams, Avocado, Garlic, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Fresh Vegetables

  Meat: Chicken, Stew Meat, Hot Dogs

  Dairy: Eggs, Milk

  Grocery: PAN Arepa Flour (or any fine-ground corn flour)

  Beverages: Orange Juice, Coffee, Soda

  Spices/Condiments: Sugar, Cooking Oil