Thousands of Purim baskets donated by city residents to the needy and ailing
This year – the seventh in a row – the Chessed Bus, a joint project of the Dan Bus Company and Chasdei Naomi, again made its rounds.
The Chessed Bus initiative is a special operation in which mishlochei manot (Purim baskets) and food item donations are collected on behalf of needy families and orphans during the Purim holiday.
“The goal,” explains the Dan Bus Company, “is to utilize Dan’s transport capability as a means of collecting mishlochei manot for the needy in a colorful and dynamic way that is capable of encouraging increased giving.”
Once again this year the bus traveled its route through the city with great fanfare – decorated and well-equipped and teeming with volunteers in costume. The volunteer “dolls” led residents and children in lively holiday activities and dancing, and aided in the collection of food items.
During the collection days the bus became a mobile food storeroom, where volunteers received, sorted and packaged the goods for the needy and the sick.
Dan Bus Company spokesman Eitan Piksman said: “This is the seventh time we are privileged to add a dimension of chessed to our activity and give of ourselves to the public. When we launched this initiative a few years ago we never imagined the impact it would have or the success it would enjoy. As a transportation company that is highly active in the haredi sector, we regard this project as an excellent opportunity to meet our clientele in person, to offer them an enjoyable Purim experience and, at the same time, to play a major role in encouraging others to contribute to the community.”
The Chairman of Chasdei Naomi, Rabbi Yosef Cohen, commended the Dan Bus Company for its beneficial initiative: “This is a great blessing for us and for the needy. This welcome initiative connects people’s desire to give with our need to distribute as much possible to needy families. I thank the Dan Bus Company for its initiative and hope that we can repeat it for many years to come.”