“Working with the I-CERV team has been a true miracle. The donations helped fill a void in our families’ lives that otherwise would have been a challenge for us to fill. It’s opportunities like this that will make a lasting impact on our youth and community.” Edgar Masmela, Partnership Director, Friends of the Children-Seattle.
The Seattle Jamat and I-CERV organized a food drive on several Saturdays during Ramadan to help those in need, part of a program launched in the Western region at several Jamatkhanas. They provided 250 bags of food containing five meals for families to prepare throughout the week.
Many families are short of food at this time, as the COVID-19 crisis has left many without employment and income. Lines of cars can be seen at Food Banks across the country, something unimaginable a few months ago; consequently, there is a food crisis also in almost every community. Ramadan was another opportunity for the Jamat to express the ethics of their faith by providing much-needed food and other supplies.
Partnering with the Friends of the Children - Seattle (FOTC) organization, the Jamat, and Inter-Faith families in Kirkland dropped off bags of food and supplies, where volunteers helped collect and load onto vehicles driven by FOTC volunteers. Tasnim Rehamani, a member of the Seattle Management Committee, a local member of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board, and the Seattle Communications & Publications Lead, had reached out to the organization and the Jamat showed its support for this initiative. Tasnim is also an indirect member of the Kirkland Inter-Faith Network and was able to also partner with Susan Weaver, Outreach Coordinator at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, through this network.
The FOTC provides high quality consistent mentoring to the youth they serve, and its professional mentors support and guide youth in and out of the classroom to develop and attain goals. Research has shown that having support from at least one adult can have a positive effect on a child’s life.
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Says Edgar Masmela, “When I first connected with Tasnim, I felt as if the stars were aligning, as we had just completed a needs assessment with our families. The number one request was support for food, especially with school being canceled and youth at home all day. Our organization decided to help with this challenge and provide weekly food bags.”
Susan Weaver, Outreach Coordinator for St John Vianney Church, Kirkland, who volunteered at the Jamatkhana to collect the bags comments, “I was so blessed to be able to serve with the Ismaili Community in Kirkland during their Food Drive for Friends of the Children. What a wonderful group to work with. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the volunteers both from the Ismaili community as well as from Friends of the Children. Their dedication and kindness are inspiring.”
Susan also remarks that she was “impressed by the care taken to ensure safety both for the donors as well as the volunteers.” She added, “The generosity of the community in the abundance of food donated was heart-warming. I very much look forward to opportunities to serve with you all again.”
One of the donors, Tazim Kassam, remarked about the volunteers: “It was so wonderful to see familiar faces after so many days. Even though they were all wearing masks, I could tell they were smiling under them. I was smiling too. It was me that was donating items, but when I left, I felt like I had received so much. It was so warm and inviting. Thank you.”
Another donor, Nerisa Merchant, remarked that she was proud of the Jamat helping the greater Seattle community, especially during Ramadan. “The day we went to drop off our donation we were pleasantly surprised to see a large number of welcoming faces, most if not all, with masks and socially distancing outside of Seattle Jamatkhana. We went home with a happy feeling in our hearts. We’re grateful that we are part of such a giving community. Kudos to the volunteers!”
