Purim food packages show appreciation for lone soldiers.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

One traditional custom of the Purim holiday is mishloach manot, sending portions of food to family and friends.

But in Jerusalem, one organization prepared and will deliver mishloach manot to Israeli “lone soldiers” who have no family support to fall back on.

There are around 7,000 lone soldiers currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Most are individuals who immigrated without their families, but the number also includes orphans and people from broken homes.

Soldier to Soldier arranges Sabbath hospitality, social activities, classes, care packages and guidance. On Sunday volunteers gathered in an empty, unfurnished storefront in Jerusalem to put together tasty mishloach manot as a gesture of appreciation and to remind the lone soldiers that they’re not really alone.