“Yesterday at the makolet on Rechov Strauss, I watched a little girl—maybe 7 or 8—stand in line holding a carton of milk.

She wasn't wearing a coat. Just a sweater. The kind that's been washed so many times that the fabric is wearing away.

The shopkeeper saw her shivering and quietly asked, "Motek, where's your coat?"

She looked down. "It doesn't fit anymore."

He nodded, rang up her milk, and added a chocolate bar he didn't charge for.”

Here's what most people don't understand about poverty in Yerushalayim:

It's not always obvious. These families don't live on the street. Their kids go to school. They show up. They function.

But behind closed doors? Kids are layering summer clothes because there's no winter wardrobe coming.

Over 2,000 children in Yerushalayim will face this winter without a proper coat and winter boots. Not because their parents don't care. Because $72 for a coat means not eating properly for two weeks.

Kupas Yerushalayim is giving families gift vouchers to local stores. Winter is here. Temperatures in Yerushalayim are already dropping into the 40s at night. We need to distribute these gift cards before Chanukah so families can shop before the coldest months hit.

That gives us three weeks.

The girl at the makolet shouldn't have to explain why she's shivering. Let's make sure she doesn't have to!

Thank you on behalf of 2,000 children,

Kupas Yerushalayim