The annual Share Your Holidays community food drive is a testament to the shared ethic of compassion and generosity that unites the Ismaili Muslim community and its partners. Inspired by this ethic, the initiative has become a cherished tradition.
This year, hundreds opened their hearts to support the Ismaili Council for the Southwestern USA’s annual Share Your Holidays community food drives. The events spanned across four Texas cities, with ABC13 Houston partnering with the Ismaili Muslim community to host this year’s event at two of the Houston locations.
Generosity was evident as more than 100,000 pounds of food donations were assembled and transported during all four collection events held in November and December at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land as well as the Ismaili Jamatkhanas in Spring, Austin, and San Antonio.
Before the event day, collection bins were placed at Jamatkhanas, local businesses, schools, and community organizations throughout Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, providing people with the opportunity to donate canned goods and nonperishable food items.
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On each event day, a steady parade of vehicles streamed in and out of the parking lots to drop off goods to local charities that support families in need. Ismaili CIVIC volunteers attended the in-person events, actively aiding in gathering, packaging, and sorting the food before loading cars, vans, buses, and trucks with the donations.
Spring
In spring, first responders from the Spring Fire Department collaborated with Ismaili volunteers to collect numerous donations to support the Interfaith of The Woodlands and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, Texas.
Austin
About 200 miles away in Austin, Southwest Ismaili Muslim scouts from Troop 797 formed an efficient assembly line, swiftly passing boxes and cans of dried goods from one car to another before transporting them to the Reveal Resource Center to help the community in need.
San Antonio
In San Antonio, packages of cereal, pasta, beans, rice, and soup were among the donations collected by volunteers wearing red holiday hats, all stockpiled for the San Antonio Food Bank.
Sugar Land
Meanwhile, in Sugar Land, visiting groups of school children added to the festive atmosphere by playing musical instruments and performing dance routines for donors, volunteers, and organizers. Proceeds from this location supported Fort Bend ISD’s Shared Dreams program and the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry.
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This would not be possible without the support of the many partners who continue to participate in this shared tradition of giving year after year. Payal Pandit Talati, Executive Director of the Fort Bend ISD Department of Collaborative Communities, shared, “We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Ismaili Council for leading an amazing community food collection drive. The event was a true display of a united community working together to achieve a common mission.”
Each year, the annual Share Your Holidays community food drive brings together a collective compassion and community spirit. The success of the 2023 events highlights the generosity of hundreds who rallied together to support those in need during the holiday season. As the echoes of shared joy and collaboration continue, these events not only provide vital assistance to those facing hardships but also foster a sense of unity and shared purpose that resonates far beyond the festive season.
