With everything being forced to shut down in the past few weeks, organizations looking to provide charity have had to get creative. Dar Al-Hijrah, a mosque in Northern Virginia, has been able to provide food to its most vulnerable neighbors through outdoor drive-up/walk-up distributions, and volunteer deliveries.
The food drive takes place every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. (ET). In two weeks, volunteers delivered over 3,000 bags of fresh vegetables, chicken and bread. Since the initiative started, distributions have increased each week.
Watch this video of the food drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAjcH62_XOc&feature=youtu.be
Dar Al-Hijrah continues to make doorstep deliveries to neighbors in need and they are facing an increase in demand. Last weekend, their food deliveries were up 5 times the normal amount.
Their primary concern during this crisis is food security, but they are working to meet the community where the needs are. Dar Al-Hijrah volunteers helped a mother and her young children who were released from the hospital get access to expensive, life-saving medications.
Volunteers helped another mother and her children who fled domestic abuse find refuge in a shelter.
Volunteers have initiated dozens of wellness check-in calls to those who are alone such as the elderly, widowed or those who may feel isolated.
Dar Al-Hijrah’s Social Services department has been navigating this pandemic through targeting food insecurity and ensuring members of the community do not feel alone.
To learn about Dar Al-Hijrah and their COVID-19 relief efforts visit there page here.
