The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Volunteers pack 80,000 meals in food bank effort
More than 500 Ismaili Muslim volunteers helped those in need.
At the I-CERV 60 for 60 Day of Service, over 500 Ismaili Muslim volunteers, ages 8 years and above, assembled 80,000 meals for Atlanta’s children and seniors in need.
The event was hosted by the Aga Khan Council for the Southeastern United States in collaboration with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Feeding Children Everywhere on Nov. 19 at the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Norcross. The 60 for 60 Day of Service honored His Highness the Aga Khan’s 60 years of spiritual leadership and service to humanity and celebrated Thanksgiving with the less fortunate.
I-CERV Day of Service stands for Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering and it’s a platform for the Ismaili Muslims around the nation to collaborate with various organizations and communities in service for the greater good.
Farida Nurani, communications coordinator, Aga Khan Council for the Southeastern United States said, “On this 60 for 60: I-CERV Day of Service, we wanted to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in Atlanta and inspire other faith communities to join in the effort of finding a sustainable solution.”
According to Feeding America, 1 in 7.5 people, or an estimated 755,400 people, in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia turn to food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their families each year. This includes more than 164,000 children and more than 64,000 seniors.
The organization committed to packing and donating 60,000 healthy meals, but due to an overwhelming response, it surpassed its goal and packed and donated over 80,088 meals plus 1,490 pounds of canned food from its canned food drive to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
“I am excited to take thousands of meals from this event back to the ACFB to feed hungry people across our region,” said Kyle Wade, CEO of ACFB. “Packing 80,000 meals to help families in need this holiday season is such an incredible example of how everyday citizens can make a huge impact on our community. By coming together, it showcases the will, commitment and strength in ensuring that all of our children, seniors, and neighbors have the food they need to lead lives where they can thrive.”
Incontinuing its service to the community, I-CERV has hosted many programs throughout the year that engage the Ismaili com- munity members of all ages in service and partners with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Hosea Helps, ACFB, Medshare, and many other organizations.
In other news
Local Atlanta leaders in business and government participated in Slept Out for one night on Nov. 16 in solidarity for the 3,300 homeless youth in Atlanta. The nationwide Sleep Out campaign builds awareness of homeless youth and in Atlanta raised over $700,000 to support the free services for local homeless and trafficked youth that Covenant House Georgia provides.
The Arby’s Foundation raised $7.5 million this year to support youth empowerment initiatives across America. The funds, which set a new record for the foundation, were raised at Arby’s restaurant locations in the United States as well as through the partner program. The funds will be used to support organizations that share the foundation’s mission to help kids build, expand, and pursue their dreams. In order to achieve that mission,it focuses its efforts on childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness initiatives.