Volunteers pack 100K meals for families in need

Fortifying meals for families in need were packed by 300 volunteers during an Islamic Relief USA event Saturday at College Preparatory School of America in Lombard.

“We're going to be packaging meals for low-income families and refugee families,” said Wsmah Siddiqui, lead volunteer engagement specialist. “Our goal is 100,000 meals, which is a big goal we haven't done before, so that's why there's so many people that showed up, and they're really excited.”

The meals consist of Basmati rice, carrot flakes and seven spices and will be delivered immediately to people in need in the Chicago area.

Siddiqui said the meals are easy to prepare and take five to 10 minutes to cook, and a protein such as chicken can be added, as well.

Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, partnered with several university Muslim student organizations for the event including ones from Loyola University, University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University, College Preparatory School of America, Northeastern Illinois University, Benedictine University, Illinois Institute of Technology and College of DuPage.