We say it, but do we really mean it? Do we open our doors and invite the poor and hungry to join us?

This year, Meir Panim is again running its greatly appreciated “Kulam Be’Seder” program – a program that matches needy families and individuals with a volunteer host family for Seder night. So far, Meir Panim has made 2,300 matches for Seder night, with more calls coming in every day. Every effort is being made to ensure that all who are hungry can truly come and eat at a warm and friendly Seder.

“It is especially meaningful to be able to help people in need by inviting them to our Seder table,” said David Roth, AFMP President. In addition, Meir Panim is hosting Seders for those in need in locations around Israel including Haifa, where 80 people have already signed up and Dimona, with 150 attendees.

For those who would rather celebrate in their own homes, Meir Panim has distributed special holiday food shopping cards. Passover is a particularly hard time for many, with the high price of kosher-for-Passover food making it almost impossible for those already in reduced circumstances. The pre-loaded card looks like a regular credit card and gives recipients the flexibility to choose whatever foods and household goods they want, and then ‘pay’ like regular customers at the check-out counter.

For those unable to shop for themselves, such as elderly Holocaust survivors and the disabled homebound, Meir Panim is delivering holiday food baskets filled with premium items such as meat, fish and fresh produce in addition to matzah, wine and other Passover necessities.

The goal of Meir Panim’s efforts is to provide the poor not only with food, but also the dignity to celebrate the holiday of freedom.

Let us hope that this Passover, all who are hungry will be able to come and eat.