First Distribution: Senator Street is joined by Numa St Louis (U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans), Mayor Jim Kenney, Desiree Jones (Aetna), Jeffery Brown, Browns Store CEO, Philabundance and PA House Dems Leader Rep. Joanna McClinton (Tuesday, April 13 , 2137 N. 15th St. Susquehanna Square/Duckery Playground)
Driving Hunger Away During Ramadan Initiative
PHILADELPHIA − May 12, 2021 – Today Jeffrey Brown, Browns Super Stores CEO and joined Senator Street along with state and local leaders for the final distribution of a 30-day food drive during Ramadan.
“It is fitting to end Ramadan and mark the beginning of the Eid with charitable contributions to our community,” said Street, “We’ve successfully delivered 6000 meals throughout Philadelphia during Ramadan and made people’s lives a little bit easier. COVID has hit regular families hard. I’m thankful to all the sponsors who joined us in this fight to provide food security.”
The Driving Hunger Away During Ramadan initiative was conceived following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 which saw practicing Muslims feed their neighbors in lieu of fasting due to health risks associated with COVID. Charitable contribution is an appropriate way to recognize the holy month. Senator Street partnered with Philabundance and Shoprite to feed 6,000 during Ramadan in 2021, to support those initial efforts made by ordinary people in extraordinary times. Philabundance, which hosted the first distribution, reported a 60 percent increase in clients served throughout the Philadelphia region.
Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones underlined Philabundance’s mission, “to relieve hunger today while we work to end hunger for good,” she continued “The Driving Hunger Away During Ramadan program was another way for Philabundance to reach more people with our food. We are thankful for this opportunity to partner with incredible donors, community organizations, and Senator Street to provide meals to the community.”
Participants were able to pre-register with Senator Street’s office or walk up to any distribution site for a vegetarian meal, chicken, or fish. Two hundred meals were distributed daily throughout 30 community spaces in the city.
Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. (4th District) who attended today’s distribution held in his district noted “Especially during this time of year, generosity to relieve hunger is an essential part of the Islamic Faith. This city-wide effort has truly made a difference in people’s lives.”
Other key sponsors for this initiative include Keystone First, Philadelphia Ramadan & Eid Fund, Aetna, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and Temple University Office of Community Affairs.
WHO:
Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), Jeff Brown, CEO Brown’s Super Stores Inc.), Philabundance, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. (4th Councilmanic District) Anuj Gupta, Chief of Staff, U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans, Faith leaders from the Muslim community
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12th at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: ShopRite of Fox Street, 2800 Fox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19129