What started out as a side project of KeepOlim during the Coronavirus lockdowns – giving food to hungry Olim – has now expanded into one of our biggest programs, “KeepOlim Feeds Olim.” While the current War was a difficult time for all of us, it posed especially unique challenges for Olim. In response, the Board of KeepOlim committed itself to feeding hungry Olim, declaring that “as we are the only post-aliyah organization for all Olim, it was our duty to help Olim during this difficult crisis with many of our Olim not having food to feed their families.”
During the High Holidays in August 2020, we started “KeepOlim Feeds Olim” and gave out over 24,000 shekels of Rami Levi & Shufersal Gift Cards to Olim families and Lone Soldiers in need throughout Israel.
In 2021, we distributed more than 100,000 shekels worth of gift cards to over 250 hungry Olim families and Lone Soldiers.
As of July 2023, we have distributed more than 250,000 shekels worth of food to over 610 struggling Olim families and Lone Soldiers.
As of April 2024, we have distributed more than $125,000 worth of food to over 820 struggling Olim families and Lone Soldiers.
Under our “KeepOlim Feeds Olim” initiative, we’ve created the “Babushka & Dedushka Program.” Through this program, we personally shop for Russian and Ukrainian elderly Olim in Bat Yam who lack food in their refrigerators. Once a month, we deliver the food to them with a smile.
Please help us to Feed our Hungry Olim!
100% of every dollar and shekel earmarked for this program goes to feeding our Olim! DONATE!
If you would like to honor someone or sponsor this program, or If you are an Oleh in need of food, please email us at… info@keepolim.org
KeepOlim Board Members and IDF Pikud HaOref (Home Front Command) Delivering Fresh Fruit to Newly-Arrived Olim Quarantined in Coronavirus Hotels.
ואהבת לרעך כמוך – VeAhavta LeReicha Kmocha – Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
Helping During The Pandemic
During the height of the pandemic, KeepOlim welcomed over 110 freshly arrived Olim from the USA who were sent to a mandatory quarantine by bringing them gourmet baskets of fresh fruit for Shabbat with the help of the IDF Pikud HaOref (Home Front Command). KeepOlim welcomed our Olim to their new home, Israel, and eased their discomfort upon arrival.
Feeding the Bnei Menashe Community in Tiberias
KeepOlim’s Babushka and Dadushka Program
Feeding Our Lone Soldiers
Welcoming Newly Arrived Olim at the Corona Hotel
Testimonials about the Keep Olim Feeds Olim program
“You saved me. I have never seen such care for me. Thank you again. I want to protect this country and make it better.”
Anonymous Lone Soldier,
שנה טובה ומתוקה וחתימה טובה לכולם! אמן שיהיה לכולנו שנה של אושר, בריאות, שלום, שלווה, שמחה, עושר, פרנסה, כלכלה, רווחה, מזל, נחת, צמיחה, צחוקים, אהבה וכל טוב!!
“Hi LiAmi once again thanks for the wonderful work you do. It is greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to the day I can pay it forward. Certainly looking forward to it.”
Anonymous
“Hi LiAmi, I hope you are well. I’m recovering very well after open heart surgery and Tal and I want to thank you so much for the assistance your NGO helped us with. Since my surgery I’ve become a citizen of Israel and I will be able to access some of the benefits available as new Olah. Just can’t thank you enough for helping Olim like me to feel part of a network. When I’m fully recovered I would like to help where I can.”
regards and love, Sarah and Tal,
“I need to Thank LiAmi Lawrence for helping me and my kids out with a food shop!! Truly grateful🙏🙏🙏without LiAmi and KeepOlim in Israel, we would of been in serious trouble!! Look forward to paying it forward & donating money to help a family like mine!!”
Andrea Newman
“Dear LiAmi, I am overflowing with gratitude for the gift card to buy food I received yesterday from KeepOlim. After several months of struggling to make ends meet my finances hit a tipping point and I did not know how I was going to manage paying rent, bills, and buying food. Thank you for coming to the rescue! No one needs to worry about how they are going to feed their kids. I am SO beyond relieved that we are taken care of this week thanks to KeepOlim!”
Anonymous
“Thank you so much for all you do! LiAmi Lawrence, I called you crying and desperate– my lowest moment. I didn’t know if I would be able to buy food. You not only arranged for help so I could buy food with dignity, you calmed me down and made me feel less scared, less alone, and less ashamed to be asking for help. It wasn’t just the gift card for groceries– your kindness, compassion, patience, and reassurance really got me through! I am so grateful! You really did keep an Olah in Israel!”
Anonymous Group Member
“Hello Mr Liami, I received your email and the gift certificates through sms. I want to thank you from my heart for this special gift, there are no words to thank you enough. It is a very big help!! I wish you to always be one of the givers and may Hashem bless you with all the blessings, Thank you very much!! Happy Hanukkah”
Yaakov and all the family.
“As a former inmate to this hotel experience I can’t thank Liami enough for all he did. My fellow Olim are so thankful to enjoy some fresh fruit. The situation in this hotel is anything but welcoming but Liami went out of his way to help us. From the moment I first spoke with him he asked how he can help!!! Liami thank you for all you did and continuing to help Olim!”
Judy Freud
“Hello everyone!!!! I come from South America and have been living in Israel for several years, always working and advancing. In the last 5 years I had two jobs and they gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people, such as LiAmi Lawrence. We always ran into each other in the neighborhood and he told me about KeepOlim.
I never thought I was going to have to call him, but as in every story there is a but… in Mine the coronavirus arrived.
After the first closure I was left without one of my jobs and a hole in my economy …. and I had to resort to KeepOlim. I called LiAmi to ask for help and he told me that that’s what he was for. When LiAmi and his people were to help in my house, there was no shortage of food, and he also offered me psychological help and to look for a job. We returned to normalcy in my second job, or so I thought.
I called LiAmi again and again. I received his help from the heart, offering again, not only food on my table, but also job opportunities.
We consistently talked so that I would not be distressed, and that I would not feel alone. From the end of December until now whenever I have called LiAmi and his people, they have been present.
It is very important for me to tell you because in these difficult times knowing that someone takes care of you is knowing that you are not alone.
Thank you very much LiAmi, thank you very much KeepOlim. There is nothing more important than preaching by example and that is what they do, they preach by example.”
Anonymous
“Thank you so much for all you do! LiAmi Lawrence, I called you crying and desperate– my lowest moment. I didn’t know if I would be able to buy food. You not only arranged for help so I could buy food with dignity, you calmed me down and made me feel less scared, less alone, and less ashamed to be asking for help. It wasn’t just the gift card for groceries– your kindness, compassion, patience, amd reassurance really got me through! I am so grateful! You really did keep an olah in Israel! Things are much better now.. still not amazing, but good enough that I could make a small donation.. I was embarrassed at how small it was but I know that every little bit helps amd you assured me that it’s ok.. it definitely came from the heart. I hope this inspires others to donate if they can– even a small donation.. especially before chag! I can assure you all, your donations are making it to the right place.. your donations help olim like me– like all of us, to stay here.. to put food on the table when times get tough, to get counseling when it seems like there’s nowhere to turn, to get advice, to meet other olim, and it goes to so many other incredible KOII initiatives! May all of Am Israel have a happy, HEALTHY, prosperous, New Year!”
Anonymous Group Member