According to the old saying, it’s the early bird that gets the worm. But sometimes, others have to get up even earlier to give that proverbial bird a boost towards getting, if not a worm, a good breakfast and lunch. That’s the case with volunteers, including Ira Riklis, for the Central Synagogue Caring Committee. These dedicated people get up and get going in order to help the group serve meals to the homeless between Thursday and Friday mornings between 5:30 and 8:15 a.m.
Why so early? Does it really make a difference to a homeless person to get meals at that time of day? Ira Riklis can tell you that it certainly does for those who, while they may not have a home, do have jobs they need to get to and do well at. It also provides a much-needed source of nourishment for those who are trying to get an early start as they go out to look for a job that will help them raise themselves up.