The lines to buy freshly baked challah start to form in Seal Court most Friday mornings well before noon. By 12:30, most if not all, the bread is sold to eager customers from the Colleges community and from around Claremont. No wonder: the bread, baked, packaged, and sold by Scripps students, is delicious—and a large part of the proceeds go toward a good cause.
Challah for Hunger, founded by Scripps alum Eli Winkelman ’07, is enjoying great success at Scripps and across the country. The group, which originated at Scripps, officially became a national nonprofit, with branches on 20 college campuses across the country, in February 2009. Its goal is to raise awareness of hunger and disaster relief though the baking and selling of challah, a traditional Jewish bread. At least 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the bread are donated to organizations, such as the American Jewish World Service’s Sudan Relief and Advocacy Fund, which seek to end hunger and provide relief to desperate areas.
Each loaf sells for between $4 and $5. However, to increase their advocacy efforts, student sales volunteers give a dollar discount to customers who write a postcard urging a government representative to take action for disaster relief. They provide postcards and suggested words at the sales table.
In one month, at Scripps, students raised more than $3,000, thanks in some part to the new flavors Challah for Hunger now offers. This year, the student bakers are going beyond traditional favorites (plain, cinnamon, and sesame seed) to include cranberry chocolate and Mexican hot chocolate.
Winkelman is overseeing a national program to expand Challah for Hunger to many more campuses to make it a major force in entrepreneurial humanitarian efforts. Having received praise from former president Bill Clinton, Stephen Spielberg, and the American Jewish World Service, this student-run organization is on the move—and it all started at Scripps.
Facts and Figures
- Total # of loaves baked and sold each week: 115-120
- Total # of loaves on the 5Cs (Pomona + Scripps): 300
- Total # of volunteers (in addition to managers): 10
- Total # of managers: 9
- Amount raised last semester: $4,000
- Amount raised as of April 3: $2,895
- Acts of advocacy each semester: approx 300 letters/postcards