Local nonprofit supporting more than 15,000 North Carolina residents this month

After delivering more than 3 million pounds of fresh food in the United States in 2020, Zakat Foundation of America has built connections that allow the nonprofit to do even more this year. By mid-February 2021, Zakat Foundation of America distributed nearly 400,000 pounds of fresh produce, dairy, meat and non-perishables to those in the U.S. who struggle to put meals on the table for themselves and their families.

These nationwide distributions started as a way to address food insecurity and have been doing double duty as emergency relief since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Hunger is one of the world's most urgent problems. More than 50 million people in the U.S. — including 17 million children — are facing food insecurity, and the pandemic has brought on even worse rates, putting the world on the brink of a hunger pandemic.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is coming up, and it’s all about fasting — feeling the hunger. With that comes a delight each night: eating. But not everyone who fasts has a meal guaranteed at the end of the day; many do so with hope and determination to find a way to break their fasts at sunset.

That’s why this Ramadan, Zakat Foundation of America is committed to providing 100,000 meals domestically in a campaign called Feel the Hunger to Do Good — 15,000 of those meals are being provided in partnership with DoorDash. This is in addition to Zakat Foundation of America’s annual overseas distributions, which feed the hungry in about 50 countries.

Zakat Foundation of America is also working with elected officials nationwide to ensure their constituents who struggle most receive the help they need.

Muslims in North Carolina have historically always given back, said Nayma Kose, Zakat Foundation of America’s outreach and community engagement manager. Just last year, they impacted 50,000 North Carolina residents positively with grocery boxes, hygiene kits and hot meals.

“Ramadan is a month of spirituality and generosity,” Kose said. “North Carolina Muslims will be giving back to their own community this month as they grow stronger in their faith and appreciate their own numerous blessings. With these distributions, we will impact more than 15,000 North Carolina residents just this month.”

North Carolina Ramadan Distributions & Events

• Thursday, April 8, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Pillow Distribution to residents of Durham Rescue Mission (1201 E Main St. Durham, NC 27701)

• Saturday, April 10, 8-9 p.m.: Grandparents/Senior Virtual Networking Event (4th in the pandemic) Seniors and youth in different states interact and listen to each other’s stories/experiences.

• Sunday, April 11, 1-2 p.m.: Grocery Box Distribution to Refugee families in the Triangle to help with Ramadan: flour, oil, sugar, rice & dates (5410 NC Highway 55 Suite AC Durham, NC)

• Thursday Community Drive-Thru Iftars at Zakat Foundation of America NC Community Centers (April 15, 22, 29, May 8) 6-7 p.m.: For community members, students, people in need. Open to the whole community.

• Friday, April 16, 6-7 p.m.: Masjid Ash-Shaheed (400 W Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28213), mask and hand sanitizer distribution

• Saturday, April 17, 2-3 p.m.: Distributing 2,184 boxes of fresh produce (65,000 lbs) in Durham, Greensboro, Burlington, Greenville, Lumberton, Rowland & Wilson, North Carolina.

• Saturday, April 17, 6-7 p.m.: Hot meal (Iftar) drive -thru distribution to 350 at Jamaat Ibadurrahman Masjid (5122 Revere Rd, Durham, NC).

• Monday Dinners: April 19 and 26, May 3 and 10, 6-7 p.m.: Hot meal distribution for McDougal Terrace Apartment Residents (low-income public housing complex) in Durham, North Carolina.

• Saturday, April 24, 6-7 p.m.: Masjid Ahlus Sunnah (2911 E Market St, Greensboro, NC, 27405) hot meal (Iftar) distribution.

• Saturday, April 24, 4-5 p.m.: St. James Missionary Baptist Church (411 Martin Luther King Rowland, NC) hot food distribution.

• Tuesday, April 27: 11 p.m.: 148 Stone Park Court, Durham, NC 27703: Hot meal Distribution

• Wednesday, April 28, 7-8 p.m.: Islamic Center of Columbus County (410 South JK Powell Boulevard, Whiteville, NC, 28472) hot food (Iftar) distribution.

• Friday, April 30, 5-6 p.m.: Carter G. Woodson School (437 Goldfloss Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27127) hot food (Iftar) distribution.

• Sunday, May 2, 6-7 p.m.: Apex Mosque (733 Center St, Apex, NC, 27502) hot food (Iftar) distribution

• Friday, May 7, 6-7 p.m.: Islamic Center of Greensboro (2023 16th St, Greensboro, NC, 27405) hot food (Iftar) distribution.

• Friday, May 7, 7-8 p.m.: Islamic Center of Lumberton (104 S Chestnut St, Lumberton, NC, 28358) hot food (Iftar) distribution

• Saturday, May 8, 3-4 p.m.: Islamic Center of the Triad (1203 Frances Daily Ct, Colfax, NC, 27235) grocery box distribution