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Social Services
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The following statistics were obtained from:

http://www.acfb.org/advocacy_and_education/facts_and_links/ .

It is apparent from these staggering statistics how important it is to provide food for families in need which include those families struggling due to various current economic conditions or single parent or elderly families who are on limited incomes. Muslim food pantries are even more limited with less than five in the entire state of Georgia which serve the needs of Muslim families. Even those families who do receive some supplemental assistance (food stamps or WIC) still run out of food sometime during the month. There is a dire need for Muslims to step up and support those Muslim food pantries in existence by donating food or supporting the food pantries financially.

Hunger and Poverty in Georgia

Feeding America’s Child Food Insecurity Study, released in August of 2011, revealed that 27.9% of Georgia’s children live in food insecure households – more than 700,000 children under age 18. This means only 72.1% of Georgia’s children live in households that are food secure. The USDA defines food insecurity as the lack of access to adequate food resulting from the lack of money and other resources. (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity 2011. Data released Aug. 2011)
According to the latest US Census Bureau American Community Survey report released in September 2011, 24.8 % of Georgia’s children live in poverty – up from 22.3% last year. That’s more than 600,000 children under age 18. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Profile. 2010. Data released Sept. 2011)

Nearly 1.7 million Georgians (17.9%) are living in poverty according to the latest US Census Bureau American Community Survey report released in September 2011. This is up from 1.6 million (16.5%) in 2009, and represents an increase of 100,000 people in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Profile. 2010. Data released Sept. 2011)

15.6 percent of Georgia households experienced low food security from 2008-2009. Food Security is defined as access to enough food for an active, healthy life. (USDA Household Food Security in the United States, 2009. Data released November, 2010)
An estimated 1.4 million different Georgians receive emergency food from partner agencies of Georgia food banks. (Feeding America “Hunger in America 2010” Study)
Among households with school age children, 67% of children from client households surveyed in the Hunger in America Study participate in the federal school lunch program while only 14% participate in the federal summer food program. (Feeding America “Hunger in America 2010” Study)

Georgia’s unemployment rate has increased significantly over the past three years. As of November, 2011, the Georgia Department of Labor’s website (http://www.dol.state.ga.us/) posted the Georgia Unemployment rate at 10.3% (from 6.2% in July of 2008) and the national unemployment rate at 9.1%. You can check the Georgia DOL website regularly to see updated numbers.
(Georgia Dept. of Labor, November 2011)

10.7 percent – more than one in every ten senior citizens in Georgia – are living in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Profile, 2010. Data released Sept. 2011)

The number of Georgia households receiving food stamps jumped from 581,709 total households in July of 2009 to 716,749 households in July of 2010 – an increase of 23.2% in just one year. (USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Data and Statistics Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Number of Households Participating, released Oct. 2010)

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Social Services
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The Muslim population in the United States is growing steadily, with various estimates of Muslims living in the United States to be around 2.6 million in 2010 expected to rise to about 6.2 million by the year 2030 (Pew Research Center). The steady rise in the Muslim population in the United States is attributed to immigration and conversions with an increasing number of people converting to Islam over the past 25 years or more. With this steady increase in the overall Muslim population, services are needed in different areas (health, education, social services, law, food service and hotel industry, information technology and businesses) to accommodate the needs of Muslims. Alhamdullilah, there are more Muslim owned restaurants, hotels, and halal stores throughout the United States, particularly in urban areas and some suburban areas where many Muslims reside. In the area of education there are more Islamic schools being established in the United States, particularly over the past 10 years or so in some urban and suburban areas. In the area of social services in many areas the Muslim community overall still remains an underserved population with many families struggling to pay bills, to keep food in the home, and with family and martial concerns.

In our work with Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services, LLC, which is a Muslim Social Service organization designed to meet the needs of Muslim families through support and education services, we have seen the dire need for these types of services which include food, clothing and household items distribution, bill assistance, health and nutrition education and consultation, parenting and marriage and family classes, matrimonial services and additional outreach programs. Alhamdullilah, we have also recently included a janaza fund for families who cannot afford to pay for the janaza expenses of their loved ones as we have seen in the past few months with families call us asking for assistance. As Muslims our diets are restricted to certain types of foods, so we usually cannot benefit from local food banks in our areas because of the foods that they distribute. Likewise, with clothing our style of clothing is modest so we cannot normally receive clothing from other agencies because they are not suited to our way of dress. With counseling for family and parenting issues we follow Islamic guidelines, the Holy Quran and Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (Sallalahu Alahie wa Sallam) the best example for all mankind; so we cannot go to outside agencies as well for advice or counseling services. Therefore, it is imperative for committed and qualified Muslims to initiate their own programs and for the Muslim community to fully support those programs and agencies in their locale which are designed to meet the needs of Muslim families if possible with time, efforts, and funds. Once these agencies start consistency, professionalism, and a cooperative effort are imperative with those who volunteer as well as with other agencies and communities to join hands to work together for the common good of the overall Muslim community. All too often Muslims do not support Muslim owned or operated businesses and services, which continues to be a weak link in the chain to hopefully work towards the improvement and betterment of Muslim families.

Social Services
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What is food insecurity? Acceptable shorthand definitions for food insecurity are “being hungry” or “at risk of hunger” or “not knowing where your next meal is coming from.”

According to recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture the reduction of SNAP benefits will affect approximately 23 million low income households. Some of this has already taken effect as of November 2013. As a result many families are now seeking assistance from other programs, in particular food banks and food pantries.  SNAP benefits will average less than $1.40 per person per meal in 2014.

Some alarming statistics from (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap) are as follows:

20% of all Georgians-nearly 1 in 5 Georgians are food insecure;

28.8% of children in Georgia-1 in 4 children live in food insecure households;

Both unemployment and underemployment are also factors in the increase in demand for food assistance with 27% of outside agencies (food banks/food pantries) reporting that people are now seeking assistance for the first time in their lives;

In regards to senior hunger, Georgia is ranked 9th as one of the highest states of senior hunger (2011 National Survey of Older Americans Act). Seniors who have been served through such programs as “Meals on Wheels “and Mobile Food Pantries have reported more food security, improvement to their overall health and comments were very favorable for this type of service.

In our work with the mobile food pantry we have seen a tremendous increase in the amounts of people asking for food assistance over the past few months. The increase has been so drastic that our supply of food items has been depleted in our attempts to get food packages to families who really need them. Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services serve Muslim families in Northeast Georgia and the metro Atlanta area through our mobile food pantry. Many of the families that we serve live off very limited SSI incomes, meager child support payments or minimum wage jobs. We are in the process of restocking the pantry throughout the winter months in order to continue to serve the families who are in need. Anyone wishing to donate food items please contact us and we can arrange a pickup of these items. All non- perishable and canned foods are welcome, as well as frozen foods and meats.

Jazak Allah Khairan.

Social Services
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Social Services
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In the past few months, we have seen the dire need to establish a janaza fund for Muslim families who lose their loved ones and are unable to pay the expenses of funeral homes, burial costs, etc…..  Since we serve Muslim families, many of whom are aging, the establishment of a janaza fund is essential particularly since so many families are struggling and unable to pay for these expenses. Even though most masjids do have janaza funds they too become quickly depleted, and we have had families call us for assistance because their local masjid could not cover the entire costs for the janaza.

Anyone who would like to donate towards this fund can do so through PayPal on our website or through personal check made payable to: Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services, LLC.. If you are donating towards the janaza fund please note that on the check or in an email, so we know where to direct the funds. Please contact us for a mailing address if donating by check

Jazak Allah Khairan.

Social Services
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Madinah Food Pantry & Family Services delivers food packages to families in need in metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia. We now serve at least 10 counties (Jackson, Clarke, Franklin, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Hall, Gwinnett, Douglas and Clayton). Many of the families are living on limited incomes (SSI or child support) and some are unemployed. Some get very little food stamps and some do not receive any at all. Each package is made for each individual family based on their dietary needs. With an increase in families requesting food we are always in need of food and personal care items.

We cannot reveal the identities of any of the families, but we can share some of their comments that we receive so you know how much your donations are appreciated by others. The following email was received this past week from a senior aged sister when she received her food package:

As-Salaamu Alaikum Dr.  Salimah,

I want to thank you and your organization for helping me in a time of need.  After the food was delivered, I made 2 Rakaats of salat. I went to put the groceries up and I burst out crying.  I said Allah (swt) showed them just what I needed. As I said before, I am not used to asking for help.  I am always helping.  Inshallah, I am going to get on my feet and give back to your organization and to other Islamic organizations that help others. Please make Duaa that I do good though my surgery. I have to have 2 this year.  Again, thank you so very much.

This is a senior aged sister who has been suffering with cancer. Many of the families who receive food are seniors suffering from health problems, and/or families in crisis types of situations.

Please review the list below and if you wish to donate any of these items, please contact us 

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