Islamic Relief UK and four UK partners provide food packs to the country’s most vulnerable

This winter’s distribution saw up to 2000 food packs being distributed by Islamic Relief UK and partners in London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January, Islamic Relief UK worked closely with Give a Gift (Leeds), Myriad Foundation (Manchester), East London Mosque (London) and Green Lane Masjid (Birmingham) to pack and distribute up to 2000 food packs and vouchers for vulnerable people including the homeless, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, asylum seekers and refugees.

The packs contained essential items such as masks, hand sanitation products, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and non-perishable food items which will feed a family for up to two weeks.

Give a Gift in Leeds also partnered with Aldi to make food vouchers available, which enabled families to choose and buy general goods from Aldi stores to supplement their food packs. East London Mosque also made Aldi vouchers available, but both still worked with local suppliers to provide general goods.

East London Mosque, who are based in Whitechapel, have been distributing food within their community since March 2020, when they set up a food bank for the vulnerable. Since then, they have provided essential items to those in need and isolating families, many of whom have been provided culturally appropriate products.

Give a Gift have been recognised for helping all faiths in Leeds. This includes people who do not reach the criteria for benefits and workers such as taxi drivers with low income and families. They have supported families who don’t qualify for the furlough scheme, who are having to turn to food banks and charities just to provide food for their children.

Green Lane Masjid have been providing support to their community throughout the pandemic across all areas of Birmingham, running a 7 day walk-in foodbank and delivering vital emergency food parcels to people self-isolating.

Myriad Foundation have played a vital community role in Manchester, having set up a weekly soup kitchen in the city, rolled out an end to end food bank service and a weekly self-isolation project which delivers thousands of food parcels across the city.

Islamic Relief UK has a long-standing relationship with three of the partners and worked with Myriad Foundation in Manchester for the first time this weekend.

The centres each operated within the Government’s COVID guidelines, with temperature checks, social distancing measures and PPE requirements enforced.

“Having worked closely with Give a Gift, East London Mosque and Green Lane Masjid before, we were delighted to have the opportunity to, once again, help their communities by packing and distributing food over the weekend. We are also humbled that we had the chance to work with Myriad Foundation in Manchester. We hope this food distribution will be the first project of many with Ali Mahmood and his team.” “With the number of coronavirus cases at an all-time, daily high in the UK, it is important – now more than ever – to stand together as a community and provide for those in need.”

“It is truly devastating seeing local families struggle due to the impact of the pandemic, many of whom were facing hardship prior to March 2020. In situations like these, it is the responsibility of the rest of the community to pull together and support those who are less fortunate.” “I could not be more proud of our volunteers and the community in general, who have supported us in order to carry out this initiative. Most of us are a payslip away from falling into a position of need and it is heart-warming to know there is support out there.”

“The demand for help during the lockdown was unprecedented and now entering into the 3rd lockdown is overwhelming as more and more people are struggling. We are doing everything we can to help some of the most vulnerable communities including those living below the poverty line, the destitute and asylum seekers. We are also trusted by the communities we serve to ensure that we follow their cultural dietary requirements.’ With support from local partners such as the Barakah team, the Muslim Kitchen & Leeds City Council, the families feel reassured knowing they will receive a weekly food supply. The support of the community is also enabling us to support non-Muslim families at this vital time.” “We also want to thank Islamic Relief for not just helping those overseas but helping our own communities that we live in.”

Saleem Ahmed, Head of Services and Welfare at Green Lane Masjid, said:

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You can donate to Islamic Relief UK’s coronavirus appeal here.

The East London Mosque, which incorporates the London Muslim Centre and the Maryam Centre, has a rich history, with roots in the London Mosque Fund established in 1910. It has gone on to become one of the most active Islamic institutions in Britain.

We offer wide range of services from our complex. In addition to the daily prayers, we have: advice and counselling; education for children and adults; services related to birth, marriage and death; and many more.

The Give a Gift concept has been developed by a partnership of organisations that recognise the need for the Muslim community to play a wider role within mainstream society. Since its inception it now works with people and partners from all backgrounds, contributing to our aim of making society a fairer and more harmonious community for everyone.

We raise funds for good causes and support the most vulnerable including asylum seekers, those living in poverty and people residing in disadvantaged communities.

Green Lane Majid & Community Centre (GLMCC) is a registered charity and the Charities Governing Document states that the Charity’s purpose is to “Advance the Islamic Faith for the Public Benefit”

Our Mission is “Islam to Inspire, Educate and Serve the People”

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre aims to Inspire, Educate and Serve the local community and worldwide and to encourage others to Inspire, Educate and Serve.

We aim to Inspire people to faith and to increase in faith through Talks, Social Media, various Social Activities and our Young Ummah program

We aim to Educate Muslims and non-Muslims, both young and old about the true Islamic teachings.

Myriad Foundation, established in 2013, is an Islamic charity which is involved in collaboration to initiate projects to serve humanity. The Myriad Foundation aims to articulate, educate and dispel myths about Islam.

A collective of like-minded individuals who recognised the potential of developing an organisation with our core shared Islamic beliefs; an organisation that looks to challenge misconceptions surrounding Muslims and Islam as well share the true teachings of the religion in our local communities.

The Myriad Foundation is primarily involved in social welfare and social reform with an Islamic ethos.

The Myriad Foundation is also involved in the development of centres of learning, crime prevention, relief work and providing a platform to cater for the socio-economic needs of society.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo.  Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.