SASKATOON – For many the New Year brings personal resolutions like living a healthier lifestyle, but for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association their resolution is to make hunger history in Canada. The nationwide campaign is called ‘A Million Pounds of Food.’
Around 140 Saskatoon youth joined thousands across Canada to collect food at their local mosques and go door-to-door in the community.
“This is a way of giving back to the community. It’s a way of showing that we really appreciate what Canada has done for us. A way of showing our appreciation and our thanks,” said youth leader Moeez Ahmad.
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Food collected from the campaign is distributed locally. In Saskatoon, all contributions will be donated to the food bank.
Last week, the Muslim Youth Association dropped off three bins of food and 240 loaves of bread to the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.
“They’re also donating bread. Many, many loaves of bread. So that’s always needed in our food hampers and so we’ll be happy to give that out next week,” said Saskatoon Food Bank executive director Laurie O’Connor.
Across Canada, the Muslim Youth Association has already raised 200,000 pounds of food.
Organizers hope the platform engages and empowers youth to make a positive difference in society.
“For the first day we had only five kids or five youth members and now around we have twelve youth members. You know, day by day it’s increasing and giving motivation,” said Muslim Youth Association vice president Rashid Ahmed.
The goal is to have 60 per cent of food collected by the end of the holiday season and reach a million pounds of food by the end of June.
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