Community Corner
FAITH Helps Hungry Families During Month of Ramadan
Volunteers are invited to join in this worthy cause on Thursday nights through Aug. 1.
Last week, Herndon nonprofit FAITH (The Foundation for Appropriate & Immediate Temporary Help) helped feed hundreds of hungry local families during the start of a month-long drive in honor of Ramadan.
FAITH fed 266 families and 1,571 individuals in the first week alone, fundraising Coordinator Somayyah Ghariani said. Items provided included salt, sugar, flour, rice, and fresh produce.
FAITH has been organizing a food drive every week during Ramadan for the past nine years. Last year, FAITH distributed bags of oil, rice, fruit and other items to more than 7,000 individuals. Each year, Muslims, the interfaith community, and the community at large have supported the event.
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“The event truly exemplified a community effort as we had volunteers in attendance from all different backgrounds,” Ghariani said in an e-mail to Patch.
Local officials who attended last week to show their support included Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust; Delegate Tom Rust; Laura Harris from the Fairfax JDR Court; Wael Khairo, the executive director of the ADAMS Center; Sandra Chisolm, Fairfax County's Community Interfaith Coordinator; and many others.
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"We had representatives from local mosques and churches as well," the group said.
FAITH acknowledges partner and sponsor Eastern's Automotive Group and Mr. Robert Bassam for their continuous support over the years toward ending hunger in Herndon.
“Despite the heat and long hours, those who were observing the month of Ramadan felt the blessing of everyone coming together for one cause,” said Ghariani.
First time volunteer, Sadia Khan, expressed that she was surprised by the number of families that FAITH was able to help.
“Seeing the happiness on these families’ faces made my small gesture of volunteering worth it. I look forward to volunteering at this event again,” Khan said.
Those wishing to help out this year can come to the Herndon High School cafeteria (Door 11), 700 Bennett St. in Herndon, on the following dates from 4:30-5:30 p.m.:- Thursday, July 18
- Thursday, July 25
- Thursday, August 1
For more information, e-mail hwh@faithus.org.
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