High Holiday Food Drive

Shaareing Sustenance, Nourishing Souls

High Holiday Food Drive & Tzedakah

During this sacred season of reflection and renewal, we are called to open our hearts — and our hands. As we prepare ourselves spiritually for the new year, we are also reminded of our responsibility to care for those in need.

This year, our High Holy Day Food Drive carries even greater urgency. Food pantries around the country have lost significant money from governmental support and are struggling to meet the needs of our neighbors — people in our own community who rely on this food to nourish their families.

The Jewish tradition teaches: “Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor, v’lo atah ben chorin l’hibatel mimena” — “It is not your duty to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” (Pirkei Avot 2:16)

We may not be able to solve food insecurity alone, but we must not turn away.

How You Can Help

  • Donate Non-Perishable Food

    You’ll receive a paper grocery bag on Erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah morning, or at prayerbook pick-up, with a list of the Food Pantry’s most-needed items. Please return your filled bag to Temple by Yom Kippur morning.

  • Give Financially

    Monetary donations go even further. We will again use monetary donations to benefit the St. Louis Food Bank, The Harvey Kornblum Food Bank, and Mazon, A Jewish Response to Hunger. Donate Now »

  • Volunteer

    Multiple volunteer opportunities will be available during the High Holidays. We have need for volunteers of all ages to collect and box food. Sign up via the links in ShaareMail.

  • Continue Donating Each Month

    Every month, we will advertise the five most-needed items for the Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry. Drop-off is available in the North Lobby Vestibule any time the building is open.

Let us enter the new year by living our values — with compassion, justice, and generosity. Together, we can help ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

ABOUT

Madeleine Elkins & Harvey Wallace

2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Madeleine and Harvey have been cherished members of Congregation Shaare Emeth since 1996. Shortly after their wedding, they began “shul shopping” and quickly found a spiritual home at Shaare Emeth—a community whose warmth and values resonated deeply with them. Since then, they have become pillars of both the congregation and the broader St. Louis community.

Madeleine Elkins built a distinguished 45-year career in the corporate world, with leadership roles in medical supply distribution and law firm financial management. Alongside her professional accomplishments, Madeleine has always made time for meaningful volunteer work. She served on the board of the St. Louis Breast Cancer Coalition and was part of the organizing committee for the JCC Senior Olympics in its early years. Her dedication to Jewish community life is evident in her service on various committees for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, including co-chairing the 2017 L’Chaim Event. In 2022, she and Harvey co-chaired the JCC’s J’la gala, raising vital funds for scholarships. At Shaare Emeth, Madeleine is a compassionate member of the Caring Committee, and in 2025, she joined the board of the American Jewish Committee, continuing her lifelong commitment to advocacy and service.

Harvey Wallace is a trailblazer in the accounting world and a passionate community leader. In 1973, he co-founded Brown Smith Wallace, a firm that grew to become the 77th largest CPA firm in the United States, with 340 team members at the time of its 2021 merger with Armanino LLP. He now brings his expertise to Private Fiduciary Solutions. Harvey’s professional success is matched by his extraordinary record of community service. He has held leadership roles on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of St. Louis (where he served as Chairman from 2015 to 2017), Jewish Family Services, The Magic House (Chairman, 2013–2014), Wyman Center, and the Chancellor’s Council at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. His civic engagement also includes board service with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the St. Louis Community Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center. Harvey has been a dedicated member of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer and was honored with the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Public Service Award.

Madeleine and Harvey are blessed with two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad & Elizabeth Wallace and David & Melissa Wallace, and four grandchildren Emma (23), Katie (19), Miriam (13), and Aaron (11).

Together, Madeleine and Harvey exemplify the spirit of generosity, leadership, and compassion. Their decades of service have touched countless lives and strengthened the fabric of our community. We are proud to honor them with the 2025 Harris Frank Community Service Award.