The ninth annual St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10 at Congregation Young Israel of St. Louis, 8101 Delmar Blvd. in University City. The drive is endorsed and supported by the Jewish Social Action Network and held in partnership with the American Red Cross. In addition, there will also be a food drive to benefit the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. The blood drive was started by Bob and Judy Hellman as a chesed project, which everyone in the community could participate in or benefit from. The need for blood donation is ongoing, but winter weather may prevent people from donating blood. 

The Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry has seen a large increase in the number of mouths to feed in recent months. Judy Berkowitz, the food pantry’s executive director, asks that people pick up a few extra items at the grocery store and to bring them to the food drive. Items needed are canned tuna and salmon, peanut butter, canned vegetables/fruits and pasta.

Aside from donating blood, people can also volunteer to work where they are needed on the day of the drive. 

Babysitting is available for anyone with small children. To schedule an appointment go to redcrossblood.org (sponsor code YIJS) or call 1-800-redcross. Walk-in donors are welcome, but appointments take priority.