‘Teaches us to give back’: Muslim youth group hands out meals to Londoners in need

Last year's Holiday Dinner on Wheels served meals to 120 Londoners. (Submitted: Hassaan Shahid)

A Muslim youth group is heading downtown Sunday afternoon to distribute meals to unhoused Londoners.

It’s an annual tradition called “Holiday Dinner on Wheels” put on by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association to help people experiencing homelessness access a meal.

Along with their youth leaders, approximately 20 Muslim youths will drive to the corner of Queen’s Avenue and Adelaide at 3 p.m. and hand out meals to people on the street.

“Wherever we see unhoused individuals, we will approach them, and you know essentially ask them if they would like some food and then give it to them. And then we’ll kind of drive around and see if there’s any more people and offer to them as well,” said Mutaal Minhas, a local member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in London.

The group prepares the meals ahead of time, and Minhas says they expect to hand out 100 to 150 meals on Sunday.

There are two options to choose from, an egg salad sandwich or a chickpea salad. The meals are loaded into a trailer, transported downtown and handed out by the youths.

Minhas says they’ve received a strong response from Londoners in need over the past few years.

“A lot of people nowadays, especially during the holiday season, they’re in need of a nice meal, so they’re really receptive and appreciative of it.”

Last year, the group served 120 meals in London.

The initiative started just after the pandemic and is put on by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in various cities across Canada.

Hassaan Shahid, spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, says not only has the tradition positively impacted the community, but it has also helped the youth put Islamic teaching into practice by helping those in need.

“It helps them to stay involved in positive initiatives and, you know, create a sense of unity and community service.”

Minhas, who’s been involved in the association for 15 years, echoes the importance of teaching youth to give back.

“Even for me, when I was a youth, I’ve seen our community do these types of programs and essentially teaches us to give back to those that are in need, you know, especially during the holiday season.”

The youth group is also organizing a food drive, and encourages donations of non-perishable food items.