Islamic Relief volunteers pack 40,000 meals at Naperville Pack-Out Event

Posted April 27, 2021 11:00 pm

Submitted by Islamic Relief USA

Sisters Luma and Buka Akiti changed their plans to be able to attend Islamic Relief USA's first-ever meal pack event in the Chicago area. They brought the energy to keep volunteers engaged and hustling. Their job was to weigh out the meals to make sure they weren't too heavy or too light and could be easily sealed. Courtesy of Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, hosted a meal packing event in Naperville on Saturday, April 24, with partner, Rise Against Hunger. These local volunteers ended up packaging a total of 40,000 meals that day between two shifts.

Ibraheem Oguntade, one of Islamic Relief's longtime supporters and champion volunteers, carries 50 pound bags of rice to refill any stations that are running low, all while fasting for Ramadan. The Naperville resident came early and stayed late to help as much as he could. Courtesy of Islamic Relief

The two organizations are assembling meals for families suffering around the world. The meals include rice, soy, and dehydrated vegetables consisting of 23 essential vitamins and minerals.

The Naperville Pack-Out Event is part of IRUSA's campaign to assemble over a million meals in the next several weeks at various locations. To learn more about the Meal Pack-Out events, visit irusa.org/meal-pack-out/.

This group of volunteers packaged meals the quickest, sending baskets of meals at a time to the next station, all while fasting. Courtesy of Islamic Relief USA

Food aid is the largest sector of Islamic Relief USA's humanitarian aid. These food aid programs range from worldwide distribution during the Ramadan and Qurbani seasons; to mobilized deliveries in the wake of disasters; to food pantries that provide easy access to quality food.

They also are accepting donations for Ramadan Food Boxes containing nonperishables and food; $10 can provide an individual meal, $50 can provide a family with a food package, and $100 can provide rice and meal essentials for five families.

Even children participate in packaging meals. This young volunteer worked diligently for the entire 3 hours, packing as fast (if not faster) than even the adults! Courtesy of Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief USA also distributes thousands of hot meals weekly in urban U.S. cities to neighbors in need. A donation of $100 can provide 10 hot meals for vulnerable people across the U.S.

To learn more about these programs or to make a donation, visit irusa.org/food/.

A group of volunteers, from left, Saima Shaik, Sabiha Najeeb, Sultan Ahmed, and Maryam Yousuf, work the funnel station - the first station in the assembly line for packaging meals. Their shift ended up packaging 22,000 meals within 3 hours, which is the second highest record. Courtesy of Islamic Relief USA

Founded in 1993, Islamic Relief USA is based in Alexandria, Va. The mission of the nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.

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