Your Lifesaver on Shabbos and Yom Tov: How Chesed's Medicine Chest Network Works

It is Friday night. The stores are closed. Your child wakes up with a fever, and you realize you are out of Tylenol. Or it is Yom Tov morning, and a headache is making it impossible to daven. What do you do? In Monsey and surrounding communities, the answer is simple: walk to a neighbor's house where a Chesed 24/7 medicine chest Shabbos station is waiting. With 44 locations throughout the area, emergency medication Shabbos access is never more than a few blocks away.

What Is the Medicine Chest Program?

The Medicine Chest program is Chesed 24/7's network of community medicine cabinets stocked with over-the-counter medications and basic medical supplies. These stations are hosted by volunteer families throughout Monsey and surrounding neighborhoods, providing Jewish OTC (over the counter medicine) access Shabbos and Yom Tov when pharmacies are closed.

Each Medicine Chest contains common OTC items that families might need in a pinch - pain relievers, fever reducers, cough medicine, antacids, bandages, and more. Everything is free. No questions asked. Just take what you need and go.

The program recognizes a simple reality: medical needs do not wait for Havdalah. A headache on Shabbos afternoon is just as painful as one on Tuesday. A child's fever at 2 AM on Yom Tov is just as urgent. The medicine chest Shabbos network ensures that help is always available.

Why the Medicine Chest Program Matters

For Shabbos-observant families, getting medication when stores are closed presents a real challenge. You cannot drive to CVS. You cannot order from Amazon. And while halacha permits certain actions for genuine medical need, many situations fall into a gray area - uncomfortable but not dangerous.

The Yom Tov medical help provided by Medicine Chest stations removes this dilemma entirely. Instead of suffering through a headache or worrying about a child's mild fever, you simply walk to the nearest location and get what you need. No driving. No carrying money. No halachic concerns.

Peace of Mind for Parents

Parents of young children know that illnesses strike at the worst times. A medicine chest Shabbos station nearby means you never have to panic when your toddler spikes a fever on Friday night.

Support for the Elderly

Older adults often need medications regularly. If they run out or forget to refill a prescription before Shabbos, Medicine Chest stations can provide temporary OTC relief until pharmacies reopen.

Help for Guests and Visitors

Shabbos guests may not have brought all their usual medications. Visitors to the community may not know where to find help. The Medicine Chest network ensures that anyone - resident or guest - can access emergency medication Shabbos when needed.

What's Inside a Medicine Chest?

Each community medicine cabinet is stocked with a standard selection of over-the-counter items. While exact contents may vary slightly by location, typical items include:

Pain Relief and Fever Reducers

• Tylenol (acetaminophen) – adult and children's formulas
• Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) – adult and children's formulas
• Aspirin

Cold and Allergy

• Cough syrup
• Decongestants
• Antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec)
• Throat lozenges

Digestive

• Antacids (Tums, Pepto-Bismol)
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Laxatives

First Aid

• Bandages and gauze
• Antibiotic ointment
• Thermometer
• Ice packs

All items are kosher-certified where relevant and regularly checked for expiration dates. Chesed 24/7 restocks stations as needed to ensure Jewish OTC access Shabbos is always available.

How to Use a Medicine Chest Station

Using the medicine chest Shabbos network is simple:

1. Find your nearest location – Check the list below or call Chesed 24/7 at 845-354-3233 for the address closest to you.

2. Walk to the host home – Medicine Chest stations are hosted by volunteer families in residential neighborhoods.

3. Take what you need – The Medicine Chest is usually located in an accessible spot (porch, garage, or entryway). Take only what you need for immediate use.

4. No payment required – Everything is free. If you want to contribute later, you can Donate to Chesed 24/7, but there is no obligation.

Most stations are available 24/7, including late at night. If a location has specific access instructions, they will be noted in the directory.

Medicine Chest Locations

Chesed 24/7 operates 44 Medicine Chest locations throughout Monsey and surrounding areas. Stations are strategically placed so that most residents are within walking distance of at least one location.

Coverage Areas

• Monsey – Multiple locations throughout
• Spring Valley – Several stations available
• New Square – Community coverage
• Suffern – Select locations
• Wesley Hills – Neighborhood access
• Airmont – Available stations

‍

For the most current list of locations or to find the station nearest to your address, call Chesed 24/7 at 845-354-3233.

Need medicine on Shabbos? Call 845-354-3233 to find your nearest Medicine Chest.

Stories From Medicine Chest Users

"My daughter woke up with an earache on Shabbos morning. I walked two blocks to the Medicine Chest, got children's Motrin, and she felt better within the hour. I do not know what we would have done otherwise."

"We had guests for Yom Tov and one of them got a terrible headache. I remembered the Medicine Chest down the street. Five minutes later, problem solved. Our guest could not believe such a service existed."

"I host a Medicine Chest station. People knock at all hours - 2 AM, 6 AM, whenever they need help. It feels good to know my home is making a difference."

How Medicine Chest Fits Into Chesed 24/7's Mission

The Medicine Chest program reflects Chesed 24/7's commitment to serving the community every day - including Shabbos and Yom Tov. While many services focus on hospital-based needs, Medicine Chest addresses the everyday medical moments that happen at home.

Together with Chesed Rooms at hospitals, Hospital Meals delivered to patients, Shabbos in a Box kits for families, and Medical Equipment Gemach lending, the Medicine Chest program ensures that the community has comprehensive support - whether the need is big or small, weekday or Shabbos.

Every patient. Every need. Every day.

How to Host a Medicine Chest Station

Want to bring Yom Tov medical help to your neighborhood? Chesed 24/7 is always looking for volunteer families to host Medicine Chest stations.

What Hosting Involves

• Designating a spot in your home (porch, garage, mudroom) for the Medicine Chest
• Allowing community members to access the chest at any time
• Notifying Chesed 24/7 when supplies run low

What Chesed 24/7 Provides

• The Medicine Chest cabinet itself
• All medications and supplies - fully stocked
• Regular restocking and expiration monitoring
• Listing in the community directory

To host a station, contact Chesed 24/7 at 845-354-3233.

How You Can Support the Medicine Chest Program

Donate Medications

Have unopened, unexpired OTC medications you will not use? Donate them to Chesed 24/7 for distribution to Medicine Chest stations.

Sponsor a Station

Cover the cost of stocking and maintaining a Medicine Chest location. Sponsorships can be made in honor or memory of a loved one.

Make a General Donation

All donations to Chesed 24/7 help support community programs like Medicine Chest. Donate Now or call 845-354-3233.

Support the Medicine Chest program today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get medicine on Shabbos?

Chesed 24/7's Medicine Chest program provides free OTC medications at 44 locations throughout Monsey and surrounding areas. Simply walk to the nearest station and take what you need. Call 845-354-3233 to find the location closest to you.

What medications are available at Medicine Chest stations?

Medicine Chest stations stock common OTC items including pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil), fever reducers, cough and cold medicines, antihistamines, antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, bandages, and basic first aid supplies. All items are kosher-certified where relevant.

Is there a cost to use the Medicine Chest?

No. Medicine Chest stations are completely free. The program is funded by Chesed 24/7 donors who believe that access to basic medical supplies should not depend on the day of the week.

Where are Medicine Chest locations?

There are 44 Medicine Chest locations throughout Monsey, Spring Valley, New Square, Suffern, Wesley Hills, and Airmont. For the complete list or to find the station nearest to your address, call Chesed 24/7 at 845-354-3233.

Can I host a Medicine Chest station at my home?

Yes. Chesed 24/7 welcomes volunteer families to host Medicine Chest stations. The organization provides the cabinet, all medications, and regular restocking. Contact 845-354-3233.

Are Medicine Chest stations available on Yom Tov?

Yes. Medicine Chest stations are available 24/7, including Shabbos, Yom Tov, and late at night. The program is specifically designed to provide access when pharmacies are closed.

‍

[[cta]]

‍