On the first day of Ramadan, dozens of volunteers, including some in high school, spent the day packing boxes of food to donate for some our most vulnerable.
Roughly 80,000 pounds of food was packed into boxes that will be delivered to families in need.
The Amity Foundation in Dearborn holds annual turkey drives and coat giveaways, and for Ramadan, they make sure families who are fasting have food to eat after sundown.
“A family will get a bag of chicken and a box,” said Mo Baydoun, Dearborn Heights city council member.
Ramadan is a time for self reflection and strengthening ones connection to God.
And Muslims fast during the day to practice self-restraint.
Giving back like this embodies the essence of the Holy month.
“Hopefully this is stuff that people will be able to cook a a meal, not just a day but last a month and also giving gift cards so they can buy more groceries, said Danielle Elzayat, co-founder of the Amity Foundation.
The non profit works with several school districts to get addresses for food drop-offs.
“It’s just a great feeling I grew up helping and I look forward to and every opportunity I can get,” said Mohammed, one of the high school volunteers.
There was a long line of cars ready to take the boxes and deliver them to people across metro Detroit.
“We’re having a good time helping others, putting a smile on others, and it is Ramadan, so you’re doing good deeds,” said Rukhaya, another high school volunteer. “So it’s a good thing to do.”