[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Asalaamu alaykum, Greetings of Peace,

I love to volunteer at MCN’s monthly Muslims Against Hunger interfaith soup kitchen because I love performing community service and because as a Muslim, my faith compels me to give of my time to serve others. This is especially true during Ramadan when we fast to nurture God-consciousness and to develop empathy with those less fortunate.

This past Saturday on June 27th, MCN hosted a day of service with the MUPPIES at the soup kitchen, which was filled with an abundance of volunteers, lively conversation and a spirit of working together to put a nutritious meal on the table. The soup kitchen serves over 150 individuals a month, from veterans, to immigrants, to senior citizens, to the homeless and those struggling to make ends meet.

One moment in particular really pulled at my heart and reminded me why MCN is so crucial to the people we serve. As volunteers were cleaning up and tidying the space for the overnight shelter, a man approached the kitchen and apologized for his lateness. He informed us that he stays in the shelter at night and asked if there was anything left for him so that he could break his fast.

This man reminded me that our fellow Muslims are struggling right here in our own neighborhoods, and that, despite not knowing from where their iftar will come, they are striving to observe the fast of Ramadan. May Allah make it easy on them. I also realized that through MCN, Allah chose to provide him with a warm nutritious meal to break his fast, a realization that left me feeling humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve.

This Ramadan, please consider donating your zakat to MCN and supporting us in our work to not only feed hungry New Yorkers, but our other critical Zakat eligible programs as well. Whether it’s our interfaith soup kitchen, our Gifts for Eid program, or our work to create understanding of Islam and Muslims in America, we take our responsibility to distribute Zakat seriously, and hope you will join us working on the causes of poverty and need. Donations are also tax-deductible and no amount is too small.

Click here to donate your zakat TODAY or send a check payable to:

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