Gural JCC hosts first community yard sale for food pantry

The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC hosted its first-ever community yard sale, “Clutter for a Cause.” The July 22 event brought in local residents to either shop for or sell any household items or clothing they’ve been looking to part with.

Tables cost $25, giving participants the chance to declutter while supporting the Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry in Cedarhurst that the JCC runs.  The pantry operates in a supermarket-style format, offering both perishable and non-perishable food as well as cleaning supplies and personal care items.

Erica Brown, the adult engagement coordinator for the JCC, said the idea came from conversations she had with residents.

“I think it is really important for people to be able to get out and engage and meet other friends,” Brown said. “The older (people) can engage with the younger (people) for a lot of these events, so this way a parent can engage with their child or a grandparent can engage with their child and it just gets them out of the house for a fun thing and they can socialize and I think a lot of people are looking for some more socialization.”

Known as the Sustenance Hope Opportunities Place — the S.H.O.P. — also includes a clothing pantry with new and gently used garments for the entire family, assistance with entitlement programs, a computer center for job searches, resume writing and skills training, one-on-one counseling, and referrals to community services.

Diana Zelmanovich, the project coordinator for Clutter for a Cause, said the declutter event would help prepare the pantry to hopefully acquire enough items for the fall Jewish holidays that include the High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

“This is to benefit the S.H.O.P our kosher food pantry,” Zelmanovich said. “We are looking to raise money getting ready for Rosh Hashana to stock the shelves, unfortunately there are a lot of families in need who rely on the kosher food that we provide them, so we are trying to raise funds.”

Stacy Feldman, the Gural JCC’s executive director, added that this event is something that they have had in the works for a long-time and she is excited to see it come to fruition.

“We care about the environment and making sure things get recycled,” Feldman said. “Someone’s unloved items might be someone’s treasure so we want to make sure we give people the opportunity to recycle wonderful usable goods that somebody might really appreciate.”