125K Meals To Be Packed Through Interfaith Effort In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As the Islamic observance of Ramadan will end this weekend, interfaith groups will team up in Alexandria to pack meals for people in need.

Islamic Relief USA, an Alexandria-based nonprofit, will partner with Episcopal High School to pack 125,000 meals Saturday. The meal packing event will happen at Episcopal High School, 1200 North Quaker Lane, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

"The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is a time of giving and generosity, a time when we come together to improve the human condition," said Sharif Aly, CEO of Islamic Relief USA. "This spirit extends to all faith traditions and we are so pleased and heartened to be partnering with our friends at the Episcopal High School to help improve food security for some of the most vulnerable populations."

The 125,000 meals packed will be a new single-day record for Islamic Relief USA. The largest single-day record of meals packed for the nonprofit is currently 100,000.

Meals will include pasta and tomato sauce and will be provided to local and regional food distribution centers. Over 400 volunteers are expected to help with Saturday's meal packing.

"We are so excited to be working again with Islamic Relief USA. Their work around the world is inspirational and to become a part of that again is an important and fun opportunity for our students," said the Rev. Richmond Jones, assistant chaplain at Episcopal High School. "The prospect of making 125,000 meals to help those in need has excited a lot of our students."

Islamic Relief USA is a humanitarian organization providing relief to millions of people each year in more than 40 countries, including the U.S. The meal packing event will be held the day before the end of Ramadan, which is considered the holiest month by Muslims and typically involves fasting between dawn and sunset.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that one in five people turned to charitable food assistance for help in the wake of the pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.