Muslim-run food drive helps families in need celebrate Eid

CTV’s Kimberley Fowler has more on a Muslim-run food drive helping families in need.

Twice a year, Muslims across the world celebrate Eid. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son.

Both are celebrated with family gatherings, giving back to community, and honour traditions.

To mark Eid al-Adha, Human Concern International (HCI), an organization founded in Ottawa, is making sure no family is left out with their monthly food drive.

“Food insecurity is something that is not easy for anyone and people are afraid to ask for help,” says Nibras Kahn, HCI Food Bank Coordinator. “This is the time where we kind of go out and before they even ask us or even indicate to us, we try and go and help as many people as possible … they don’t have to be (in) an embarrassing situation when they’re in need,” adds Kahn.

For this month’s food drive, dozens of boxes are filled with fresh meat and pantry staples, packaged by HCI volunteers and staff. On Wednesday, a truckload of hampers was dropped off at The Ottawa Mosque. “You feel proud. As you can see, there’s still more to come,” says Mohamed Ghadban, Ottawa Muslim Association vice president. “If you help one person, (that) means you’ve helped mankind.”

Founded in 1980, HCI is Canada’s oldest Muslim humanitarian organization. For Eid al-Adha, it’s distributing a thousand pounds of meat to about 200 families across Ottawa. Similar food drives are happening in other major cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. “Overall, I think we’re delivering just over 5,000 pounds of meat across the country,” says Momin Janjua, HCI Local Projects Coordinator. “It has really opened our eyes to the growing need here in Canada … so we’re looking to create different solutions to help communities, not just with food but also with other services to take them from crisis to sustainability.”

HCI’s monthly food drives help serve everyone in need in the community. “The food bank doesn’t only operate for Muslim people,” explains Kahn. “We do serve the dietary needs of Muslim people in general for most of all we carry, but everybody is welcome to get help and get assistance from the food bank. Most of the clientele we have are not actually Muslim people but people who have been recommended to us by the Ottawa Food Bank or other sources. So, we’re always welcome to take on anyone regardless of their background or their status in Ottawa.”

A $75 donation helps sponsor a family for a month. More information and details on where to volunteer can be found on Human Concern International’s website.