“Our masjid [Arabic word for a mosque] happens to be located in a food desert and we have some ties with MIFA and the Mid-South Food Bank, so we decided to start a food pantry in 2012 as a way of serving our community. We knew we had a lot of Muslim families in the 38109 and 38116 zip code areas who weren’t being helped, and it wasn’t because they couldn’t get food, but because the food didn’t meet their dietary restrictions. The majority of our clients are not Muslim, but we go through all of our canned items and other food products to be sure that everything we distribute is halal [permissible according to Islamic law]. That way, everyone --- including any Muslims who come --- can consume whatever they receive. The products we distribute are general enough that everybody can use them, and each client gets the same items.
“Often people who’ve been served come back and donate to our clothes closet or ask if they can volunteer. I think the idea has caught on. They’re pleased that they have neighbors here, that we’re not pushing any ideas or religion. There are no boundaries. Anyone can come. We greet them with a smile, we get to know each other, and we break bread together. It’s a way to bond. It doesn’t matter if they’re Muslim or not. We just want to help the people in our area, and this is something we can do to serve.”
NOTE (January 19, 2018) from Carolina Gerard, Outreach Intern for the National Council for Aging Care: "Too many of our nation’s seniors are going hungry.The National Council for Aging Care is dedicated to educating seniors and those who care for them. Our article, The Facts Behind Senior Hunger: http://www.aginginplace.org/the-facts-behind-senior-hunger addresses some of the causes, complications, and cures for senior food insecurity."
“Often people who’ve been served come back and donate to our clothes closet or ask if they can volunteer. I think the idea has caught on. They’re pleased that they have neighbors here, that we’re not pushing any ideas or religion. There are no boundaries. Anyone can come. We greet them with a smile, we get to know each other, and we break bread together. It’s a way to bond. It doesn’t matter if they’re Muslim or not. We just want to help the people in our area, and this is something we can do to serve.”
NOTE (January 19, 2018) from Carolina Gerard, Outreach Intern for the National Council for Aging Care: "Too many of our nation’s seniors are going hungry.The National Council for Aging Care is dedicated to educating seniors and those who care for them. Our article, The Facts Behind Senior Hunger: http://www.aginginplace.org/the-facts-behind-senior-hunger addresses some of the causes, complications, and cures for senior food insecurity."
Halal Food Pantry at Masjid Al-Mu'Minun, 4412 S. Third, serves the Memphis community on the last Saturday of each month, 12-3pm.
RSS Feed