Volunteers Mobilize to Pack 5000 Food Boxes in the US for Ramadan

Islamic Relief USA organized a food packaging volunteer event to prepare 5000 food boxes to be distributed in different cities in the USA during the Month of Ramadan. The event was attended by over 400 Volunteers across the United States from different backgrounds. Each food package is designed to provide essential nutritional items for families in need across the country, and includes rice, flour, sugar, vegetable oil, pasta, salt, peanut butter, dates among others. Some major areas of distribution include Houston, Dallas, Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

The event was also attended by families and their children, as a way to teach them the importance of giving and caring for ones neighbor from an early age on.
“It has become increasingly difficult in the United States for some of the families who are receiving these food boxes to feed their families, as prices are increasing but wages are not.” Said Naeem Mohamed , US Programs Manager at Islamic Relief USA. “Every year countries around the world where Islamic Relief has offices receive food packages during the Month of Ramadan. This is our second year that we are doing this within the United States, because there is a growing need and increasing issues with food insecurity. Last year we distributed 3000 packages and this year 5000. This fills in a huge gap that some families’ budgets cannot spare”. Mohamed added.

Note to Editors:
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar (ninth month) . Each day during this month, Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. They are also encouraged to give generously and care for fellow human beings to leverage some of their suffering. Muslims are also keen to share food with Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors and friends. In many Muslim countries there is a tradition of organizing free food kitchens for poor people during Ramadan. In the West, many Muslims volunteer or donate to local charities or food banks.

 

Media Contact: Mayssoun Olabi molabi@irusa.org or 703-370-7202

XXXIslamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.

Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.