Numbers Count
One, three, thirty-eight, fifty-five, one hundred seventeen, eleven hundred, one hundred thousand.
This is not just a list of random numbers. Each of these numbers represents a statistic that Joe Granger, executive director of MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope), cited at a recent MESH meal partners’ meeting.
One – a homeless individual who frozen to death one winter night in 2007 sparking the founding of MESH and the winter respite program.
Three – individuals who have successfully completed detox programs.
Thirty-eight – unhoused people who make Montclair their home and take advantage of the winter respite program.
Fifty-five – the average number of people served dinner Monday through Saturday. It is often more.
One hundred seventeen – nights between November 2025 and April 2026 when the MESH winter respite center operated. The goal for the winter of 2026-27 is to be open every winter evening a total of 122.
Eleven hundred – unique individuals served by MESH.
One hundred thousand – dollars saved for other purposes because the MESH meal partners contribute dinner six nights a week. MESH is the only Montclair organization that provides an evening meal to the food-insecure population. Consider sending your after-party usable leftovers to MESH to supplement what the meal partners supply.
These numbers are only the tip of the iceberg of services MESH provides. From a clothing store to laundry service, from counseling to resume building, the organization has become a full-service social needs organization.
Shomrei was one of the first congregations to become involved. Before COVID, The Carol Starr MESH Cafe served dinner to up to 50 food-insecure people, including families with children. When COVID forced the Cafe to close, Shomrei continued to provide takeaway meals from various sites. MESH is now meeting at the Union Baptist Church on Midland Ave for most services and at St. Marks Church on Elm Street for winter overnight respite.
As MESH marks almost two decades of service in Montclair, now more than ever, it needs your help.
Help prepare dinner: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0845adad2ba75-carol#/
Donate through the MESH website: wearemesh.org
Volunteer at the Union Baptist Church.
Donate clothing and personal hygiene items or buy something from The MESH Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DQ1UHDRTURR5?ref_=wl_share
Sign up for the annual MESH walk either as either an in-person or virtual walker: https://go.rallyup.com/3rdannualwalkforourneighbors/Campaign/Details
Help Shomrei continue its commitment to this grassroots organization.
As Rav Ash says in the Talmud: Providing charity for poor and hungry people weighs as heavily as all the other commandments of the Torah combined (Bava Batra 9a:12).
About MESH
Shomrei thanks the Carol Starr MESH Fund for helping to underwrite these meals. MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope) is a community-wide cooperative effort between local synagogues and churches.
Volunteer at Shomrei
Shomrei provides 50 meals to MESH on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. We need volunteers to help prepare and pack the food. For those interested in volunteering who are not available on Tuesday afternoons, we are brainstorming different ways to make it work. Let us know what would work for you.
signup here
Additionally, each Monday afternoon, we deliver any usable food leftover from Kiddish to MESH.
Volunteer at the (Temporary) MESH Site
Volunteers are also welcome to help serve food 6 nights a week, Monday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30 pm at the MESH site. Due to a burst pipe at the MESH site at 619 Bloomfield Ave, MESH will be meeting temporarily at the Union Baptist Church.
signup here
Monetary Donations
If you can’t help in person, please consider a donation to help fund this important service.
donate here
