The following is an excerpt from an article posted in the Denverpost.com in Sep 2018:
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: From right, The Day of Dignity volunteers Randa Muhammed and Soukayna Iraqi are handing foods to needy people at Sonny Lawson Park. The Day of Dignity campaign consists of a series of events held around the nation to help get people who are homeless or from low-income households, among other sociological conditions, access to such essential items as meals, winter coats, hygiene kits, and health screenings. September 15, 2018. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
“David H. got to Sonny Lawson Park right at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning because he knew it was a big day.
Homeless since his wife died of cancer in 2001, David has roamed around since then, staying at various shelters all over California and Colorado.
But on Saturday, David, who wouldn’t give his last name, knew exactly where he wanted to be.
For a full day, the downtown park was transformed into a Day of Dignity, an event for more than 500 homeless and the working poor to access free food, music, medical screenings, clothing and other essential items.
The annual campaign is organized in cities around the country by Islamic Relief USA, a Virginia-based nonprofit humanitarian organization. Started in 2002, the Day of Dignity is now hosted annually in 16 cities, helping more than 20,000 people from Buffalo to Denver.
“Poverty has existed for a long time, and it still exists despite what you hear about the economy booming,” said Syed M. Hassan, spokesperson for Islamic Relief USA. “We established this as a way to serve as a one-stop shop for people’s basic needs.”
Denver’s Day of Dignity was put on by Muslim Family Services of Colorado, a nonprofit organization that provides direct services for those with emergency needs. ”
Read the full post on Denverpost.com
