As a Social Worker in Lake County, IL, John noticed that most food pantries did not offer fresh vegetables. In 2011, he created the Mitzvah Garden to fill this much needed gap. Since its beginning, the Mitzvah Garden has donated thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to Lake County food pantries, and hundreds of Or Shalom family members have participated in this mitzvah. Over 12 varieties of vegetables are grown annually.

This fund will sustain the future of the Mitzvah Garden so we can ensure that John’s vision to provide fresh vegetables to food pantries is fulfilled.