In the first week since posting the Facebook message, the ICN youth group delivered necessary groceries to about two dozen people, with some even calling in from outside the Naperville area as well.
In the first week since posting the Facebook message, the ICN youth group delivered necessary groceries to about two dozen people, with some even calling in from outside the Naperville area as well.
The Islamic Center of Naperville, located in the American Midwest in the state of Illinois, has become an inspiration after beginning a food delivery charity that helps the elderly and most vulnerable during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
Posting to their Facebook page on the 16th of March, the ICN’s Youth Group offered free home delivery services to the elderly in the Naperville area, who were unable to leave their homes because of the ongoing virus lockdowns.
Azam Mohammed, part of the youth group that initiated the movement, explained that he was motivated to help those most in need after seeing an elderly couple shopping at his local grocery store:
The elderly can’t go outside of the house…So why not help so many of our neighbors? People are obviously really thankful for the service. One lady was really thankful…she was giving all her blessings to us.”
Mohammed has since worked with another member of the youth group, Ahmed Syed, to set up a hotline (773 234 6627) where people can call for help. The youth group then tries to deliver the necessary groceries and items within two to three hours. With around 30 volunteers all taking part in this initiative, Mohammed explained that 15 more members are constantly on standby in case the demand increases.
In the first week since posting the Facebook message, the ICN youth group delivered necessary groceries to about two dozen people, with some even calling in from outside the Naperville area as well. Requests have come in from the neighboring states of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Because of the demand, many other mosques and Islamic centers have joined in and begun delivering groceries to the elderly and vulnerable in their areas as well.
As the world comes to an almost unprecedented standstill because of the COVID-19 pandemic, initiatives like this are a reminder of the importance in community centers and youth groups like the ICN’s to help those most in need.
While everyone must continue to adhere to the strict self-isolation and social distancing rules needed to help combat the spread of the virus, it also remains vital that we continue to help in whatever way we can to ensure those most vulnerable in our societies do not remain in the dark.
