About the Program
Each year, the JCC-Federation of San Luis Obispo comes together with volunteers, donors, and community partners to create and deliver the Holiday Care Bags — thoughtfully assembled baskets that bring joy, connection, and support to community members during important seasons of the year.
Our Holiday Care Bags are filled with meaningful items and treats that reflect the spirit of each celebration. From High Holy Day gift bags with traditional foods and symbols to Passover baskets that include special holiday essentials, these care bags provide a tangible reminder that every member of our community is seen, valued, and remembered.
This program is rooted in compassion and community care. Volunteers help prepare, pack, and deliver bags to individuals and families across San Luis Obispo County — especially those who may be isolated, unable to attend services, or in need of extra support during holiday seasons.
Every bag represents our commitment to inclusivity, kindness, and connection. Whether you’re a long-time recipient, a first-time volunteer, or a generous donor, your involvement helps strengthen community bonds and spread holiday cheer throughout the region.
Get Involved!
Please help support this program by donating, volunteering, or helping spread the word — and join us in bringing joy to neighbors during the holidays.
Our Holiday Care Bags are filled with meaningful items and treats that reflect the spirit of each celebration. From High Holy Day gift bags with traditional foods and symbols to Passover baskets that include special holiday essentials, these care bags provide a tangible reminder that every member of our community is seen, valued, and remembered.
This program is rooted in compassion and community care. Volunteers help prepare, pack, and deliver bags to individuals and families across San Luis Obispo County — especially those who may be isolated, unable to attend services, or in need of extra support during holiday seasons.
Every bag represents our commitment to inclusivity, kindness, and connection. Whether you’re a long-time recipient, a first-time volunteer, or a generous donor, your involvement helps strengthen community bonds and spread holiday cheer throughout the region.
Get Involved!
Please help support this program by donating, volunteering, or helping spread the word — and join us in bringing joy to neighbors during the holidays.
PASSOVER CARE BAGS 2026
PASSOVER CARE BAGS 2026 IS A WRAP!
|
See KSBY's coverage of our Passover Care Bag Assembly event on March 15, 2026:
|
Thank YouASSEMBLY VOLUNTEERS: ASHLEY & TAYLOR ERNST • TINA GRACE • SUSANNAH BROWN • NATALIE BRITZ • ADRIANA SOUSA • LEANA MARCUS • ASHLEY & DANIEL SASSOON • JAMES GRAFF-RADFORD
GENEROUS DONORS: TERRI ELBAUM • MIMI NAISH • GORDON MULLIN • ELLEN NOVEMBER • LORRAINE BREWSTER • ARTHUR L. FRIES • GALE FELDMAN • RICHARD NAMM • HEATHER TOWNSEND • SARI DWARKIN • ANITA LAWSON • LESLIE SIEMBIEDA |
HIGH HOLY DAY CARE BAGS 2025
High Holy Day Care Bags 2025 Are a Wrap!
|
September 2025: This past week, the JCC brought together people from four local synagogues for a common goal: creating and delivering High Holy Day Gift Bags to fellow Jews who are unable to attend services or in need of a little Jewish joy.
Altogether 13 persons participated in baking and packing bags plus 15 drivers delivered goodie bags to 70 people, from Paso Robles to Lompoc. Each bag included a homemade honey cake, Shabbat candles, Kedem grape juice, a Gopher Glen apple, honey sticks from Avila Barn, a Yartzeit candle, and a hand-written card. For those who may be elderly, isolated, or unable to join services, these bags are a meaningful reminder that they are not forgotten — they are part of our Jewish community. |
|
Thank you — Chag Sameach
The JCC Board
The JCC Board
THANK YOU!
Thanks to Congregation Beth David for the use of their kitchen and space, and Johanna Appel for leading up the baking.
And, to the VERY LONG LIST of volunteers and donors to the 2025 program: Penny Borenstein | Natalie Britz | Sari Dworkin | Janelle Eagle | Terri Elbaum | Marsha Epstein | Gail Gresham | Nancie Hardy | Janet Hillson | Lisa Marmon | Gordon Mullin | Rich & Patti Namm | Mimi Naish-Toews | Ellen November | Dove Okonina | Andi Portney | Sandra Shafran | Leslie Siembieda | Sheila & Bob Spector | Heather Townsend | Joy Tuman | Muffy (Marcia) White | Phylissa Kwartner
And, to the VERY LONG LIST of volunteers and donors to the 2025 program: Penny Borenstein | Natalie Britz | Sari Dworkin | Janelle Eagle | Terri Elbaum | Marsha Epstein | Gail Gresham | Nancie Hardy | Janet Hillson | Lisa Marmon | Gordon Mullin | Rich & Patti Namm | Mimi Naish-Toews | Ellen November | Dove Okonina | Andi Portney | Sandra Shafran | Leslie Siembieda | Sheila & Bob Spector | Heather Townsend | Joy Tuman | Muffy (Marcia) White | Phylissa Kwartner
PASSOVER CARE BAGS 2025
Happy Passover from JCC-Federation of San Luis Obispo
April 2025:
During the past week, 66 Pesach Gift Bags were distributed by a dedicated group of JCC volunteers to community members from Paso Robles to Lompoc. This year, it seemed especially important that the Pesach goodies include a small parsley plant — “karpus” — green and growing, which connects us to the gratitude we feel as we dip and taste the bounty of the earth at our Seder tables. The Holiday Gift Bags program would not happen without the work of volunteers, eager to reach out with love and friendship to people they might know well, and to those whom they are meeting for the first time. Janelle Eagle, Co-President at JCC, shares her own volunteer experience: “What an absolute joy and blessing it is to deliver Passover baskets to our neighbors. Each time I’ve had the opportunity to knock on doors and wish my fellow community members a happy holiday, I have left feeling so fulfilled. It’s an honor to represent the JCC as we connect in this way and serve those who may not have a way of celebrating or connecting more broadly with the Jewish community in this sacred season. I feel so grateful to be a part of these efforts.” Besides the Holiday Gift Bags program, your volunteer efforts and donations support the essential community-building work of the JCC Federation of SLO including Hanukkah Downtown, Camp Shoreshim and the Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival. All these programs and events raise awareness of Jewish life, history, culture, and diversity of expression in SLO County and beyond. To donate to the Holiday Gifts Bags Program, click here. Thank you — Chag Sameach The JCC Board |
Thank you to the 2025 Volunteers:
|