Spreading the love in Dr. King’s honor

Distributions are set for Illinois — where Zakat Foundation of America is headquartered — as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Delaware and Washington state. These distributions are nothing new for the humanitarian organization, which has given nearly 3 million pounds of fresh produce, meat and dairy products in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALIFORNIA

A San Bernardino distribution Monday is set to distribute 1,500 food boxes and hygiene kits, partnering with local community groups to aid a local underserved neighborhood. The others involved: Assembly member Eloise Gomez Reyes (Representing California’s 47th Assembly District), CAIR Los Angeles, Sahaba Initiative and Corona Masjid. Location: Arroyo Valley High School; 1881 W. Base Line Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411. Time: 12 p.m. (noon).

DELAWARE

Two distributions are set for Friday. The first is one in New Castle that will focus on personal protective equipment, providing masks, hand sanitizer and wipes. Location: Diyanet Center of Delaware; 249 Appleby Rd #5403, New Castle, DE 19720. Time: 12 p.m. (noon).

The second Friday distribution is set for Wilmington and will also focus on PPE, providing masks, hand sanitizer and wipes to low-income area residents. Location: Masjid Ar Razzaaq; 2800 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. Time: 12:30 p.m.

Monday’s distribution is set for Newark and will focus on winter gear, providing scarves, hats, gloves and socks to homeless individuals. Location: Friendship House; 69 E. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Time: 2 p.m.

Tuesday’s distribution in Wilmington is to provide school supplies and hygiene kits at a homeless shelter. Location: Sunday breakfast Mission; 110 Poplar St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Time: 2 p.m.

Also in Wilmington the next day, Wednesday, Jan. 20, is a PPE distribution, giving masks, hand sanitizer and wipes to students at UrbanPromise Wilmington. Location: 2401 Thatcher Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. Time: 11 a.m.

The distribution two days later, on Friday, Jan. 22, in Wilmington, will be to provide hot meals in a low-income neighborhood. Location: Masjid Al-Kauthar; 2102 Northeast Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802. Time: 1:30 p.m.

ILLINOIS

A Chicago distribution Saturday is set to feature hot meals for homeless individuals, partnering with READI Chicago. Rather than being held at a building, this distribution will be done out on the street, where one of our partners regularly provides warm meals to homeless people.

Location: S. Vernon Avenue and 63rd Street. Time: 1 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro on Friday, where Zakat Foundation of America is set to provide hot food, hygiene kits and 100 one-liter coconut water bottles — nature's extremely hydrating Gatorade, filled with electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. This will be in partnership with Al Shurah Community Resources and Al-Ummil Ummat Islamic Center. Councilwoman Sharon Hightower and Marikay Abuzaiter, City Council at Large, are expected to attend. Location: 2109 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406. Time: 3 p.m.

The Durham distribution on Saturday offers hot food as well as sets of school supplies. This is to support McDougal Terrace residents — the complex is the largest public housing facility in the state — and is done in partnership with Peak Equity & Education. Garrett Pearce, Policy and Disaster Relief Coordinator at North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, is expected to attend. Location: 1502 Sima Avenue, Durham, NC 27701. Time: 3 p.m.

The Lumberton distribution on Saturday intends to provide hot food and masks. The Islamic Center of Lumberton is partnering for this distribution. Location: 104 N. Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358. Time: 12 p.m. (noon).

The Monday distribution in Durham is to provide hot food and masks, and to give hygiene kits. Jamaat Ibad Ar Rahman Masjid will be partnering with Zakat Foundation of America to support low-income neighborhoods and refugees. Durham Council Member Nida Allam is expected to attend, and Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley will be present as well. Location: 5122 Revere Road, Durham, NC 27713. Time: 4 p.m.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Monday’s distribution in Rock Hill is set to provide grocery boxes, hot food, coconut water and masks to a low-income neighborhood. Senator Mike Fanning is expected to attend. He also helped distribute blankets and hygiene kits at a distribution back in November. Partnering in the distribution are Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church as well as New Awakenings Resource Center & Folkways. Location: 527 Dave Lyle Boulevard, Rock Hill, SC 29730. Time: 3 p.m.

WASHINGTON (State)

Also Monday is a hot food distribution in Mukilteo, partnering with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Council Member Riaz Khan is expected to attend. He helped distribute hand-made cards from Zakat Foundation of America volunteers to Harbour Point Senior Living residents earlier this month. Location: 124 21st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122. Time: 2 p.m.