Temple Solel's Social Action Committee undertakes numerous projects throughout the year to help those in need. Many of these projects are locally oriented, but the committee also has done work with a national and international focus. The latter area includes projects such as the anti-malaria Nothing But Nets program for African children (under the aegis of the Union for Reform Judaism), Maryland legislative briefing panels on bills in the state legislature of interest to the Jewish community, and and an action day on the situation in Darfur.

The Social Action Committee has two projects that have been ongoing for several years: to be of steady assistance to the Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund, and to help provide needed supplies and other donations requested by Fisher House at Andrews Air Force Base.

The food pantry provides food -- and emergency financial aid, under certain circumstances -- to low-income persons in Bowie and throughout Prince George's County. Fisher House provides a place to stay at Andrews for families of wounded service men and women who are undergoing treatment in the base hospital. Every few months, Fisher House gives the temple lists of supplies that are not provided on base, but are needed to help the recovery of the wounded servicemen and servicewomen. The Social Action Committee informs congregants of the current needs of the Bowie Food Pantry and Fisher House via the weekly Temple email, as well as by updates in the Temple Topics newsletter.

The chair of the Social Action Committee is Jackie Newstadt. Please feel free to contact her with questions, suggestions, concerns, etc.

The committee always welcomes new members. We meet on a Sunday each month at 9:30 AM at the Temple If you are interested in social action, just come to the meeting!

Below are the most current needs for the Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry and for Fisher House

• Canned soups other than chicken soup
• Spaghetti sauce/pasta sauce in 28 ounce to 32 ounce jars
• Canned vegetables, including canned potatoes. Canned carrots and yams are especially healthful choices.
• Canned fruits of all kinds
• Peanut butter
• Jelly and jam
• Canned meats such as chicken, beef stew, chili, ham
• Canned fish such as tuna and salmon
• Rice mixes such as Rice-a-Roni
• Desserts (this category can include cake and cookie mixes, packages of Jell-o and Jell-o pudding, and other such items that often can be picked up on sale and have a long shelf life)

• Liquid clothes detergent marked HE (high-efficiency) on the packaging, to be used in front loader washing machines
• Individual packages/cups of chocolate pudding
• Individual packages/cups of Jell-O (other gelatin brands are okay)
• Rolls of paper towels

The actions of our members toward the Mitzvah of tikkun olam has been received with sincere thanks by recipients.

• Click here for a letter of thanks from the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Click here for a letter of thanks from Anne Arundel County Food Bank.