The necessities of every household are food, clothing and furniture, as without these it would be difficult for anyone to survive, let alone find a job, says the Islamic Family Network Society (MFNS).
“It is the month of Ramadan, a month of giving and sharing,” said society president Idrees Khan. “Charity is the third pillar of Islam, so we do our best to help people, give them everything we have and share with them.”
A halal food and clothing distribution takes place on March 24 every year, and in 2023, a one-day blitz helped more than 8,000 members of Calgary's underprivileged communities. Khan said this year's aid scheme is expected to reach 10,000 people, as unemployment is rising and food prices continue to rise.
“Right now, prices are so high that people are living but you know there are no jobs,” she said. “It's getting harder and harder for them, so this is what motivates us to help them all.”
Organizers say that without the basic items collected during the annual drive, individuals and families will not be able to take the critical steps toward integrating into society. MFNS supplements support available through other organizations, but in some cases, MFNS is the sole provider of these services.
“It could be a refugee, it could be a single mother, it could be a new immigrant, but over the past year we have found another category: asylum seekers,” Khan said. said. “We're bringing together a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, including Canadians who are facing challenges at this time.”
Obstacle
Toks Bakinson, a board member, said MFNS provides food baskets to needy families throughout the year. However, this distribution event will accept and distribute clothing donations and other donations that may help families new to Canada.
“This is the only time we accept clothing donations, so this is also an opportunity for members of our community to bring in some of the donations they have been keeping for a year,” she said. Ta.
Bakinson hopes to have 700 volunteers on March 24th. Because everyone is fasting for Ramadan, the volunteers will be divided into three groups to reduce the workload on those days. Cash donations are also welcome.
“Gift cards or cash would be nice,” she said. “What we do with cash donations is we use them to buy groceries, we use them to buy gift cards. So we accept any type of donation.”
Born in Syria, fled to Lebanon due to war
Lala Hussain is 17 years old and has been volunteering with MFNS for the past four years. Hussein was born in Syria and she fled the war to Lebanon. She and her mother moved to Calgary in 2015, but she remembers having to use the MFNS food bank.
Now she wants to give back to others.
“This organization has always been there for us, it was a stepping stone for us, especially my mom, and it was such a big part of our lives,” she said. “Especially during Ramadan, I feel like I’m giving back for what I’ve gotten.”
MFNS enhances the physical, social and spiritual well-being of individuals and families in Calgary and the region by providing education and awareness, poverty relief and social support based on Islamic principles and values. It is a non-profit organization that works for. MFNS provides services to community members in need, regardless of religious affiliation.
The distribution event will be held March 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marlboro Park Community Center, 6021 Madigan Drive NE.
For more information about our annual activities, please visit: www.muslimfamilynetwork.org