PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For a second year, hundreds of meals are being distributed to Philadelphia families each day during the month of Ramadan.
State Sen. Sharif Street, who partnered with Philabundance on the initiative, said they’re “driving away hunger” by handing out about 200 pre-made and pre-packaged meals a day. The meals are given out at a different site each night.
Street said it helps provide food to anyone in need but also allows families who are able to make a donation to pass it on.
“Every year for 30 days of the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunup to sundown,” he explained. “It’s a time when Muslims are not only abstaining from eating but are encouraged to engage in charitable activities like feeding other people.”
Muslims who cannot fast due to health risks often help feed the community instead. The meals initiative was conceived in March 2020, a time that saw heightened food insecurity due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the pandemic hit, those of us observing Ramadan … were concerned that if you’re not eating in the midst of the pandemic, it could weaken your immune system — might not be a good idea,” Street said. “So what is prescribed, if for some reason you can’t withstand from eating, you’re supposed to feed someone.”
Philabundance CEO Loree Jones said over the course of the month, they will distribute 6,000 meals to people in need. This year, she said there’s more of an emphasis on vegetarian options, nutritious food and culturally diverse meals.
“We know that our region really is home to people of all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of religions,” she said. “We can celebrate the spirit of this religion by helping people who are food insecure. We’re really honored and privileged to do so.”
“Feeding the hungry is one of the most fundamental things you can do as a person of faith,” added Street. “To do good to others, it is the most basic form of charity.”
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Meals will be distributed at the following sites, at 6 p.m. each night, through the end of Ramadan:
April 14: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, 160 E. Erie Ave.
April 15: Concilio, 141 E. Hunting Park Ave.
April 16: Ascension Manor, 911 N. Franklin St.
April 17: Marion B. Tasco Arms (Lindley Court), 1300 Lindley Ave.
April 18: Sharswood Tower, 1505 N. 24th St.
April 19: GPASS, 4943 N. Fifth St.
April 20: Masjid Muhammad, 414 W. Penn St.
April 21: PASSi, 6926 Old York Road
April 22: Guild House East, 711 Spring Garden St.
April 23: Warnock Village, 2862 Germantown Ave.
April 24: Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, 5412 N. Fifth St.
April 25: Esperanza Health Center, 4417 N. Sixth St.
April 26: NewCourtland Allegheny, 1900 W. Allegheny Ave.
April 27: Gladys B. Jacobs Manor, 1100 Fairmount Ave.
April 28: John C. Anderson Apartments, 251 S. 13th St.
April 29: MLK Older Adult Center, 2101-35 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave.
April 30: Clara Muhammad Square, 1000 N. 47th St.
May 1: AFCOM, 2432 W. Lehigh Ave.
May 2: ShopRite at Fox Street, 3400 Fox St., Unit A
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