To mark World Food Day, the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit hosted a drive-thru food pantry for anyone faced with food insecurity in their neighborhood. In total, the Bohras purchased and distributed 250 food packages - totalling over 6,500 lbs - to neighbors in Farmington Hills. Each box contained over 27lbs of non-perishable items.
Mariyah Saifuddin, a member of the Dawoodi Bohras community in Detroit, said, “This food drive is part of the Dawoodi Bohra’s global Project Rise initiative that strives to help members of society through a range of support programs including food security, clean water, and education. Although many do not realize it, food scarcity greatly affects areas like Farmington Hills, Livonia, Redford, and Southfield.”
As part of Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit are long-term partners with CARES in Farmington Hills and Zaman International; both of which service clientele who need a hand-up with food or other services. On World Food Day, both organizations’ clients availed of the drive-thru food pantry.
Mr. Todd Lipa, Executive Director of CARES in Farmington Hills, said, "The collaboration between the Dawoodi Bohras of Detroit and CARES in Farmington Hills is a testament to the power of community partners coming together to support our neighbors. We appreciate this long-term partnership to help fight food insecurity."
Monica Boomer, Chief Impact Officer, of Zaman International said “Zaman truly values its long-standing partnership with the Detroit Dawoodi Bohra community. The community's generous donation of 82 boxes of food this past weekend in honor of World Food Day will greatly enhance the variety and quantity of goods available to our clients during their upcoming visits to our client-choice food pantry at our Hope for Humanity Center. This donation is the most recent display of support for Zaman's programming by the Detroit Dawoodi Bohra community, with past projects including client family sponsorships, cleaning and hygiene kits, summer fun kits, and more. Over the past several years, our organizations have collaborated consistently, honoring our shared vision of an equitable world, free of poverty and marked by compassion and hope.”
Many of the values at the core of the Bohra faith - including eradicating poverty and hunger, improving health and education, female empowerment, avoiding waste, and preserving the natural environment - align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For centuries, Bohras around the world have been living their lives according to these principles, regularly taking practical action to support members of society who most need help.
