Islamic Relief UK, Liverpool FC Foundation and the Liverpool Mosque Regions Network distribute 500 essential food packs

Islamic Relief UK, Liverpool FC Foundation and the Liverpool Mosque Regions Network distribute 500 essential food packs in Liverpool as Muslims prepare to welcome Eid-Al-Fitr

More photos from Anfield can be found here

On Monday 10 May, Islamic Relief UK joined up with LFC Foundation and the Liverpool Mosque Regions Network (LRM) to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse.

Islamic Relief UK worked closely with the Red’s official charity, LFC Foundation, who packed the boxes of essentials at Anfield, before supporting in their delivery alongside LRM to ten locations across the city.

The food packs – with each containing 17 items including, halal chicken, rice, pasta, eggs, beans, butter and bread – were distributed alongside sanitary products such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand wash, shower gel and more.

As Ramadan comes to a close, Islamic Relief UK is hopeful that the food will provide vulnerable families in Liverpool a more comfortable Eid-Al-Fitr (12 – 13 May). Food and essential items were also distributed amongst the non-Muslim community.

The distribution marks the end of a weekend of food packing and deliveries with partners in London (Newham), Liverpool and Birmingham (Masjid Al Falaah). Over the weekend, Islamic Relief UK gave out a total of 1500 packs.

“Since the financial crisis we’ve seen many families fall into deprivation. COVID 19 has only exacerbated that. Over the last year we have heard horrible stories about suffering in the UK. We are doing our upmost to support families in the UK and through partnerships like this one with the LFC Foundation, we were able to reach a lot more vulnerable families.”

Farhad Ahmed, Director at the LRM Network, said:

“As we near the end of Ramadan, we wanted to help Muslim families and refugees prepare for Eid, which is why we were delighted to join forces with Islamic Relief UK and LFC Foundation – alongside their help, we also teamed up with mosques in the region at the forefront of welfare support within their communities. “Ramadan encourages us to think of others in need which is why we reached out to a number of organisations supporting troubled families, people with mental health illnesses and in recovery to show that Ramadan charitable giving is for everyone and starts at home. It is important to have initiatives like this which bring groups together to address common needs for the greater good.”

“We are proud to be working alongside Islamic Relief UK to help support local families, during what remains a difficult time for so many as a result of the pandemic. The generous donation of over £13,000 has enabled us to collaboratively distribute 500 essential food boxes, which will support local people from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities ahead of Eid-Al-Fitr celebrations. “Helping to tackle food poverty is something that the Club is really passionate about and committed to. Since the start of the pandemic the club has provided more than 63,000 free meals to local schools, community groups, key workers and families. In addition to this, over £320,000 has been raised and directly donated to North Liverpool Foodbank and the Trussell Trust’s foodbank network across the Liverpool City Region to support those living in food crisis.”

Follow Islamic Relief UK on Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

What is Ramadan and Eid?

For Muslims across the globe, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred time for worshipping Allah, (God). This period offers an opportunity for devotion, reflection and celebration of the mercy and love of Allah.  During this period, healthy adult Muslims will show this devotion through fasting from dawn until dusk. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Qur’an and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.

Eid al-Fitr or Eid is the festival marking the end of Ramadan.

You can find out more about Ramadan on the Islamic Relief UK website.

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 37 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.

The LFC Foundation is the official charity of Liverpool Football Club; delivering a range of programmes and partnerships to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

The charity focuses its work in three key impact areas; wellbeing, skills and communities and delivers a variety of regular physical activity initiatives in Merseyside, including ‘Go Play’ free multi-sport sessions delivered in 15 local parks. It also works with the Premier League to implement programmes including the Premier League’s Kicks programmes and Primary Stars.