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Muslim non-profits helping the community during coronavirus pandemic

Posted at 5:29 PM, Mar 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-27 20:29:27-04

PHONIX — The Arizona Muslim community is among the many groups coming together to help neighbors in need. From running a community food pantry, to delivering groceries to the home bound and elderly, several non-profits have ramped up their efforts as they see more of a need in our community.

Masud Rahman with Muslim Outreach and Volunteer Enterprise or MOVE said the group's multiple food pantries located throughout the valley had been slammed.

"Whoever comes in our doors, we never reject anybody," said Rahman.

He added that most of the people they served were low-income families of all races. They even helped many refugees who had re-settled in the Valley.

The group packed up food boxes for those in need. From pasta, to sugar, flour, oil, sanitary products, toiletries, and even diapers, volunteers said they considered each families individual needs while filling up the boxes.

For the last few weeks volunteers said they, like many others in the Valley, had found it difficult to buy supplies to fill their pantry shelves with stores running low and running out of so many items. This week they had no pasta sauce or flour. The shortage of toilet paper meant instead of a whole package, each family would only get two rolls per box.

"Many of the stores are not taking online orders anymore," said Rahman.

Another group who also shopped for those in need was the Arizona Muslim Alliance. Volunteers took shopping lists from elderly, disabled, and home bound adults and went shopping for them.

Ahmed Abouhussein a PhD student at Arizona State University was one of their volunteers. ABC15 caught up with him as he shopped for an elderly person in need.

"We are all in this together, we are all one community," said Abouhussein.

Volunteers said while we were living in challenging and uncertain times, the COVID-19 pandemic was shining a light on humanity and acts of kindness in valley communities.

"It hits a core for all of us. It brings you back to what's the most basic need. It's not the fancy car, it's not the fancy house, it is the basic of food," said Ashraf Abdelwly, a volunteer with MOVE.

"Our whole operation is to, as the Prophet said, spread peace and feed the hungry," added Rahman.

If you are at high risk for the coronavirus, you are elderly, or immunosuppressed, you can use the Community Grocery Service. To order or volunteer with the organization call 480-516-6368 or email info@azmuslims.org with the subject line Order Groceries or Volunteer Groceries. You can also complete an order form online.

To get a food box from the food pantry or donate to MOVE visit their website.

You can also call Monzur at 480-203-3625 or Mazhar at 602-284-2652. Or email move4az@gmail.com.

To donate, CLICK HERE.