Halifax Muslim group donates enough food for 3,700 meals

A Halifax community group donated $10,000 worth of food to Feed Nova Scotia and other charities across the city.

The donation from Muslims of Halifax is part of the group’s annual Spirit of Ramadan event and comes just as the food bank is sending out a plea for more food.

Raising money for food fits into the spirit of Ramadan, food drive coordinator Asraa El-Darahali said.

“During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn til dusk and during that time they feel what hunger feels like, they feel what its like to be in the shoes of someone who goes without a meal.”

READ MORE: Feed Nova Scotia food bank stocks ‘critically low,’ donations needed

Approximately 50 people of all ages and backgrounds helped sort the food at Feed Nova Scotia on Saturday morning.

Feed Nova Scotia is asking for food donations with a long shelf-life. In particular, the charity is asking for household staples such as cereal, rice, pasta, tomato sauce and other non-perishable items which can be used to make a full meal.

Another 300,000 kilograms of non-perishable food is needed for Feed Nova Scotia to keep all of its food bank commitments through to September, communications director Karen Theriault said.

“It was pretty scary because the inventory levels for food were so low but people have just responded with such heart really, you can see it right here today.”

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The food donated by Muslims of Halifax will be enough to make approximately 3,700 meals Theriault said.

The 5,500 kilograms of food will go to charities that provide for Halifax’s neediest, El-Darahali said. In addition to Feed Nova Scotia, Adsum for Women and Children, Bryony House, Phoenix Youth, Metro Turning Point, and Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre will all receive some of the food.