Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a nonprofit humanitarian and development organization, has received a $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Hope After the Storm: Capacity Building for Faith-Based Disaster Relief Organizations.
With the grant, IRUSA plans to procure three mobile kitchens, each of which will be stationed in Texas, New York, and Florida. The kitchens will be used to prepare meals that are culturally sensitive and align with the religious, dietary, and health guidelines of the populations in need.
“IRUSA is deeply honored to receive this generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., which provides us with a unique opportunity to expand and enhance our disaster response capabilities across the country. This grant will allow us to significantly optimize our ability to respond effectively and efficiently when disaster strikes, strengthen our entire disaster relief infrastructure, and ensure we can deliver a transformative impact for vulnerable communities nationwide. Lilly Endowment’s support is vital to building resilience and offering hope after the storm.” — Ahmed Shehata, Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to the mobile kitchens, IRUSA also plans to develop standardized disaster menus that adhere to the population’s dietary and health guidelines, establish warehouses in each state for easy access to dry and frozen foods, and train volunteers to assist with meal distribution in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Through this particular program, IRUSA aims to ensure that disaster-affected families with specific dietary requirements will gain faster access to safe, culturally appropriate meals, ultimately reducing prolonged hunger and health complications.
The grant to IRUSA is one of 30 grants being awarded through Hope After the Storm, an initiative that aims to strengthen the capacity of faith-based organizations to provide aid to individuals and families affected by natural disasters in communities throughout the United States.
Lilly Endowment recognizes that faith-based organizations play a key role in providing disaster relief services in the United States. They also serve as important vehicles through which individuals and religious communities live out their faith and serve others by volunteering and giving funds and other resources to address the immediate needs of their neighbors.
Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), based in Alexandria, VA, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. IRUSA’s mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States. IRUSA is on the US 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.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
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