Islamic Relief USA is organizing a food packaging event in Springfield, VA, to prepare 2,000 food boxes out of a total 7,000 food boxes to be distributed in different cities in the USA during the Month of Ramadan. The event will take place May 20, in Springfield, VA. New Jersey and Texas will also be holding packaging events to prepare 1,000 and 1,500 food boxes respectively on May 13. Other events were held across the US since the beginning of May with 1,500 boxes prepared in Illinois and 1,500 in California. 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 and more. Some major areas of distribution include Dallas, Brooklyn, Chicago, Washington D.C., Portland and Los Angeles.
“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 Muhammad, 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, including the US. This is our second year that we are doing this here at home, because there is a growing need and increasing issues with food insecurity. Last year we distributed 5,000 packages and this year 7,000. This fills in a huge gap that some families’ budgets cannot spare,” Muhammad added.
Event Details:
TEXAS
Saturday, May 13
701 N Glenville Dr #300
Richardson, TX 75084
NEW JERSEY
Saturday, May 13
245 Buffalo Ave
Paterson, NJ 07503
VIRGINIA
Saturday, May 20
6820 Commercial Dr, Suite F
Springfield, VA 22151
Note to Editors:
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar (ninth month). This year Ramadan will start on the 26th or 27th of May depending on the sighting of the moon. 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. 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 United States, many Muslims volunteer or donate to local charities or food banks.
Media Contact:
Mayssoun Olabi
molabi@irusa.org, 703-370-7202
Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its 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. IRUSA’s programs benefit more than 10 million of people each year in over 40 countries 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.