1

Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services, LLC

Dr. Salima Hunafa, Director

22

My educational background B.S. in Education and Human Services

Counseling, ODU, Norfolk, VA. (1986) M.S.W. (Child welfare), UGA, Athens, GA. (1989) Ph.D. in Philosophy in Human Services, Walden University (online) (2011)

33

Director

44

Our mission

Food distribution to families in need Health awareness and education to families Clothes and household items donations Feeding the Homeless (monthly) Home placements for low income or

homeless families Financial assistance (emergency) Financial independence (home business)

55

Why the need for a mobile food pantry

Many of the families do not have transportation Many of the families have limited funds to travel Some families are elderly and unable to get out There are few if any mobile food pantries in metro

Atlanta and none in Northeast Georgia Halal food pantries are essential for Muslims Many local food pantries do not offer halal food or

food that Muslims can eat (free of gelatin, animal products, etc…..)

66

Original Madinah Food Pantry location

Our first location for Madinah Food Pantry before we extended into family services was in a small school in Northeast Georgia

Due to lack of space and location we had to move to a more accessible area and also rent a storage space for some food items (non-perishable)

We started out just serving the local Muslim community in Northeast Georgia

77

First Madinah Food Pantry location

88

Madinah Food Pantry original location

99

Areas that we serve thru our mobile food pantry

We currently serve 10 counties in metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia thru our mobile food pantry:

In Northeast Georgia: Clarke, Jackson, Hall, Franklin, and Banks

In metro Atlanta: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Douglas, and Forsyth

1010

Populations that we serve

Muslims who call in need of helpMuslims who live in metro AtlantaMuslims who live in Northeast GeorgiaNon-Muslims in crisis situationsSingle parent familiesSeniors (50+ group)Low income families and families in crisis

situations (homeless, in transition, abuse situations)

1111

Confidentiality

Since we work with Muslim (and some non-Muslim families) and do provide family services all information we gather from intakes is confidential

We can not release the names or identities of any of the families that we serve without their permission

We do thorough intakes to assess the needs of each individual family so we can provide the most appropriate services to each family as needed (food, clothes, bill assistance, household items, or education services)

1212

Who is eligible to receive food and other services

Individuals or families who are unemployed Families who are on limited incomes (SSI) Families in crisis (no home, no food, etc…)

Single parent families receiving little support

Families who are traveling thru the area Homeless families or individuals

1313

Ongoing Pantry needs

Salt free and sugar free foods (please see list) Monthly or yearly sponsorships ($25.00-$50.00

monthly or $500.00-$1,000 yearly) Volunteers to help cook, teach health awareness and

education, cooking classes, write articles, recipes and assist with independent living

Coordinators to help with food drives as needed and clothes collection

Zakat and sadaqa donations to assist families in need

1414

Special needs for Ramadan

In preparation for Ramadan we are in need of the following items:

DatesSpring waterHalal meat donations

1515

Food donations

All food donations need to be within the expiration date

Alll food donations must be free of gelatin, animal shortening, beef fat or chicken fat

All food donations must be unused and sealed

1616

Volunteers make a difference

1717

Volunteers make a difference

1818

Volunteers make a difference

1919

Volunteers for homeless events

2020

Madinah Food Pantry pictures

2121

Madinah Food Pantry pictures

2222

Metro Atlanta food drives

Gwinnett Islamic Center, Suwanee, GA. (March 2013) East Cobb Islamic Center, Marietta, GA. (April,

August and September 2013) Muslim Girl Scouts -Suwanee, and Johns Creek

(November 2013) Masjid Al Quba, Sugar Hill, GA. (January 2014) Islamic Center of South Atlanta, Stockbridge

(February 2014)

2323

Food drive pictures

2424

Food drive pictures

2525

Meals on Wheels Every Friday we distribute food to the homes of up to 10

Muslim families in need of cooked food donations thru our mobile food pantry

These are families that are in poor health, experiencing some crisis situation (ho food, without electricity or a way to cook, recent hospitalization, death in the family, etc….), elderly people or seniors

We pick up food at various metro area locations or from homes once we are contacted (one week in advance).

All food donations need to be properly sealed.

2626

Mobile Food Pantry pickup for cooked food donations

Kabab & Wraps, Alpharetta

2727

Mobile food pantryMeals on Wheels

2828

Emergency food package to a women’s shelter

2929

Emergency food package to women’s shelter

3030

Muslim and local homeschool groups and day cares

We collect books, educational materials, toys and equipment for families who are home schooling their children and in need of supplies

We collect and distribute furniture for home schooling families and day care centers who can not afford to purchase them

We work with home schooling programs on reading programs during the summer and special events and outings and provide food donations for these events

3131

Sister’s day care

3232

sister’s day care that we are currently assisting with in metro

Atlanta

3333

Muslim home school group-summer reading program party

3434

Summer reading program for Muslim children and volunteers

3535

Special Islamic Events (Ramadan, EID)

During the blessed month of Ramadan we deliver Iftar meals to families who can not get to their local masjid (due to illness, lack of transportation, sisters with young children, etc….)

Ramadan Iftar meal sponsorship program-individuals or families can sponsor an Iftar dinner either by cooking the meal or donating funds to have the meal cooked and we will serve the food at various masjids where food is needed

EID toy drive- each year different masjids, individuals and families donate toys, books, and gifts or cash so that children will get gifts for the EID which we distribute in groups or to individual families

3636

Ramadan gift baskets 2012

3737

More Ramadan gift baskets 2012

3838

More Ramadan baskets 2012

3939

Ramadan baskets 2014

4040

Ramadan baskets 2014

4141

EID gifts 2013

4242

Janaza Fund.

Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services started a janaza fund in 2013 as a result of Muslim families calling who need help in paying for janaza expenses.

In 2013 we were able to assist with at least five janazas for families who needed assistance.

In March of 2014 (this past month) we assisted with three janazas for an elderly sister who died of cancer, a newborn infant who lived for only 12 hours, and an elderly sister who had been sick for a long time.

4343

Feed the homeless events each month

Every month we feed homeless groups in Gainesville or Athens (Northeast Georgia area)

Both of these areas have relatively high homeless populations (Clarke County-Athens, one of the highest in the state of Georgia)

Different groups, families or individuals are needed each month to cook a variety of foods (rice dishes, meat dishes, salads, desserts, pasta dishes and ethnic foods)

These events are usually held on the 3rd of 4th Saturday of each month

4444

Pictures from feed the homeless events

4545

Feed the homeless eventsNortheast Georgia

4646

Feed the homeless eventsNortheast Georgia

4747

Current collections of clothes, furniture and food

We are currently collecting summer clothes for children in good condition-both modest western clothes and Indian style clothes (shalwar khameez, abayas, hijabs, kufis, etc….) We are also collecting men’s shalwar khameez (all sizes).

We have several families in need of twin size beds, bunk beds, queen size bedroom set, washer and dryers, deep freezers, dressers and refrigerator. We ask that anyone wishing to donate these items send pictures in advance to ummisix@gmail.com. All appliances must be in good working condition.

4848

Clothes donation policy

All clothing needs to be clean and free of stains and holes

All clothing needs to be either modest seasonal clothing (now only collecting spring and summer clothes) or Indian/Pakistani style clothes

We do not accept underclothes unless they are new

4949

Clothes donations

5050

Furniture donations policy

All furniture needs to be in good condition and all appliances need to be in good working condition

We only pickup appliances and furniture on the weekends

We require pictures of all furniture and appliances in advance of coming

5151

Furniture donations

5252

Furnished apartment from donations for a homeless sister

5353

More pictures of a furnished apartment from donations

5454

Future goals

Islamic parenting classes Greater health awareness and education thru

newsletters, classes or seminars on a monthly basis

Purchase of a larger truck to transport food Office and store front to sell items for families

and pantry needs in metro Atlanta Monthly bake sales, dinners to raise funds for

the pantry at various masjids, schools and Islamic centers

5555

Bake Sale-Hamzah Islamic Center- January 2013

5656

Health Seminar-Masjid Al Quba, Sugar Hill (March 2014)

5757

Health seminar-Masjid al Quba (March 2014)

5858

Health seminar-Masjid Hamzah- April 2014

5959

Health seminar-Masjid Hamzah- April 2014

6060

Health Seminar-Masjid Hamzah April 2014

6161

How can I make donations and help out?

We can accept payments on our website: www.madinahfoodpantry.org thru PayPal

Checks can be mailed to Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services, LLC 101 Pine Ridge Place, Nicholson, GA. 30565 or put in our donation box today

Cash donations can be given today—please put in an envelope with your name if you want a receipt

Let us know what you would like to do. We can be contacted thru ummisix@gmail.com

6262

Your donations help those in need

6363

 Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said, “Every Muslim has to give in sadaqah (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari Vol.  2, Hadith 524)

6464

Additional information

For any additional informational on our programs or current needs please visit our website: www.madinahfoodpantry.org

or follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/DrSalimaHunafa on linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-salima-hunafa/15/826/2b7 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madinah-Food-Pantry-

and-Family-Services-LLC/220630698108713