Council for Ontario Friday, August 8, 2014 Toronto
Thank You for Participating in the Ramadan Food Drive Initiative
The Ramadan Food Drive, an annual event organized by the Council for Ontario, donated over 25,000 lbs of food to various faith-based food banks in the GTA during the month of July. Members of the Ontario Jamat continued a decade-long tradition of coming together to collect and then donate food to improve the quality of life of families in the local community. The food is collected and delivered by the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, particularly the younger volunteers who learn at a very early age about the Islamic ethic of compassion and caring for those who are less fortunate.
This year, the Ramadan Food Drive initiative partnered with several different faith-based food banks, building on the notion of interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. Coming together as one to serve humanity is a fundamental underlying principle.
Over the last 4 years, the Ramadan Food Drive has donated almost 100,000 lbs of food to the Flemingdon Food Bank, located in the Don Mills area of Toronto. In 2010, the Flemingdon Food Bank was faced with a crisis and was about to shutdown, when various faith-based groups stepped in to support this community institution.
“Fasting in the month of Ramadan creates awareness as to what it means to be without food. The Ismaili Muslim community once again has stepped forward and put its ethics into action," said Abdul Hai Patel, president of the Flemingdon Food Bank Board. "The community’s donations serve the needs of probably the largest food bank in the city with 4,500 families registered at the food bank.”
The Seva Food Bank in Mississauga is another recipient of food items. “Every week Seva Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food to hundreds of families in need across Mississauga. The very generous donation from the Ismaili Muslim community will go a long way to ensuring that these families are getting the nutritious and culturally appropriate food they need,” said Kulvir Singh Gill, board chair and co-founder of Seva Food Bank.
The Muslim Welfare Food Bank, another key partner in this year’s Ramadan Food Drive Initiative, also supports its local community by running a women’s shelter and providing medical services to individuals without insurance.
Other partner agencies who were recipients of food donations include Reh’ma Community Services, the Tamil Food Bank, and the Brampton Knights Table Food Bank.
“Canada is home to several major initiatives of Mawlana Hazar Imam, including the soon-to-open Ismaili Centre Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park in Toronto. Through partnership and dialogue across faiths and cultures, and working from our common values system, we strive to improve the quality of life for all in our communities, especially those who are struggling,” said Sheherazade Hirji, president of the Ismaili Council for Ontario.
