DURHAM, N.C. (Sept. 28, 2020) — On behalf of Duke University and Duke University Health System, the Duke Office of Durham & Community Affairs has awarded a grant to Zakat Foundation of America to address immediate, basic needs in response to COVID-19.
The grant will allow Zakat Foundation to provide 300 elementary and high school story and educational books for McDougald Terrace Residents, and the distribution is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the housing complex. A portion of this grant money is also being used to provide sports balls of all kinds for younger children to play.
Zakat Foundation recognized the need for these kids to play and be kids as the pandemic has limited extracurricular activities this year. In addition to this need, Zakat Foundation has noticed families from coast to coast have been unable to provide nourishing meals as job cuts and furloughs limit their living expenses and grocery budgets.
To counter this disparity, Zakat Foundation has distributed more than 1.225 million pounds of food in COVID-19 relief nationwide since March, including fresh produce, dairy, meats and non-perishables. These distributions have reached Durham’s hungry already, and the organization is committed to continuing its food security projects in North Carolina and throughout the rest of the country in addition to its overseas work.
Zakat Foundation is also hosting a drive-through distribution for 100 refugee kids on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 5410 NC Highway 55 Suite AC Durham NC 27713.