Some 60 volunteers assembled 1,500 food boxes. Photo contributed
As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan approaches, Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization based in Alexandria, helped prepare for the month of fasting by packing boxes with nonperishable foods in Springfield.
Some 60 volunteers participated in the Saturday, April 27 event, which was split in two shifts. The volunteers helped fold boxes, pack them with food, tape them for shipping, and flatten unpacked boxes. In total, the volunteers assembled 1,500 food boxes.
The food boxes, whose items are intended to last for several days, are all non-perishable. They include cooking oil, a 10 pound bag of basmati rice, canned tuna, beans, sugar, flour, vegetable bouillon, pasta, Ragu sauce, cereal, peanut butter, and, of course, dates.
The boxes will be given to local residents in need, regardless of their race, gender, creed, or religion.