What is RCN?
YES, WE DELIVER BOXES...
but as the needs have grown, so have we.
Tomche Shabbos of Rockland County was founded 30 years ago to deliver boxes of food to struggling families. But as the community grew, so did the need for more comprehensive support. Over the years, we began paying utility bills and offering emergency financial assistance. We thought beyond crises to long-term solutions with job placement and mental health resources.
We have always existed to serve the Monsey community. Now that means taking an important step to unify our many services–Tomche Shabbos, Partners in Parnosoh, Bobbie’s Place, and all the others–under one name: Rockland Chesed Network (RCN).
Our Story
We started small...But how we’ve grown.
Three decades ago, a group of people saw a need, and together they formed Tomche Shabbos of Rockland County.
As the community grew, so did the number of people who relied on Tomche Shabbos. From ten weekly food boxes, we began delivering to twenty families. Then hundreds, every single week.
As the needs and challenges grew more complex, we added more services, including:
A TZEDAKAH FUND
to pay for utility, housing and medical needs
PARTNERS IN PARNOSOH
to help people train for and find employment
SIMCHA FUND
to help struggling families make weddings and Bar Mitzvahs
CHODESH FOOD OUTLET
to provide food at cost price
A TZEDAKAH FUND
to pay for utility, housing and medical needs
PARTNERS IN PARNOSOH
to help people train for and find employment
SIMCHA FUND
to help struggling families make weddings and Bar Mitzvahs
CHODESH FOOD OUTLET
to provide food at cost price
Today, we are the primary address for both short-term and long-term aid. For any kind of Jew. In any way we can.
So we still deliver boxes, and perhaps it’s still what we’re best known for.
But we’ve gone way beyond the box:
Job training and placement. Financial assistance for therapy, simchas, utility, rent, mortgage, camp and clothing. If the need is there, we will be there.
ENTER ROCKLAND CHESED NETWORK.
Rockland Chesed Network will provide the infrastructure for all these services–and give us room to continue to grow.
Can anyone remember Monsey
without Tomche Shabbos?
SUMMER 1988
Tomche Shabbos launches.
Volunteers distribute boxes to 20 families out of a garage on Decatur Avenue.
We start buying food.
Tomche Shabbos begins purchasing its own food, rather than getting leftovers from a Williamsburg organization.
1990-1995
END OF 1992
100 families and a new home.
Tomche reaches 100 families. Operations move to a two-car garage in the Friedland home in Forshay.
Our first warehouse.
Our first warehouse opens at our iconic location on Spook Rock.
1997
2006
Utilities
When a box is delivered to a dark home, Tomche Shabbos begins paying utility bills for struggling families.
Job placement
Tomche Shabbos begins its job placement branch, enabling families to get back on their feet with their own source of Parnosoh.
2008
2011
Adult education
Tomche introduces adult education classes in computers and business skills
Beyond the box
As the community grows, Tomche meets the needs with ever-expanding services for every aspect of life, such as the new Camp Fund and Chodesh Food Outlet.
2011-2022
2017
Creative Community Projects
The first cost price Arbah Minim sale turns into a huge community event.
Rockland Chesed Network
Monsey is ready for a central chesed network, encompassing myriad vital services.
2022
Expanding with the community.
Addressing the growing needs.
OVERVIEW OF SERVICES
RCN For
Emergency Support
Food / Tomche
Shabbos
- Grocery Fund
- Weekly food deliveries
Home
- Rent
- Utility shutoffs
- Emergency shelter
(homelessness)
Medical
- General medical care
- Mental health support
Government
Assistance
RCN For Everyday
Community Assistance
Bobbie’s Place
Distributes new clothing to children
for Sukkos and Pesach
Chodesh Food Outlet
Provides the community with
significant savings of food staples
Simcha Initiative
Gown Gemach Chasuna Assistance
Pesach Fund
Assists struggling families with
the overwhelming costs of the holiday
Monsey Camp Fund
Fund for children whose families
are unable to afford camp
Arbah Minim Sale
Offers for sale Arbah Minim to the
public at greatly reduced prices.
RCN For
Long-Term Solutions
Partners in Parnosoh
- Job placement
- Job training
Yeshuas HaBayis
OUR SUBDIVISIONS
OUR VALUES
DIGNIFIED GIVING
Our priority is to provide support as discreetly as possible, so that individuals can maintain their self-respect as they get back on their feet.
DYNAMIC ASSISTANCE
We constantly look for new ways to help those in need.
PROACTIVE / REACTIVE SOLUTIONS
RCN works to fill both the immediate needs of the Rockland community, and to provide long-term solutions.
COMMUNAL RESPONSIBILITY
We are a community of “neighbors helping neighbors,” and we provide opportunities for people to help however they can.