The Dawoodi Bohra community of Houston marked a significant milestone this year, hosting its seventh annual meal-packaging event in partnership with Rise Against Hunger under its global Project Rise initiative.
The initiative reflects a sustained commitment to addressing global hunger through consistent, community-driven action. Over the past seven years, volunteers have packaged approximately 200,000 nutritious meals, contributing to school feeding programs in underserved regions around the world.
The effort has brought together more than 1,000 volunteers across faiths and backgrounds, including local partners such as LifePath Church. What began as a singular community initiative has evolved into a meaningful platform for interfaith engagement, where shared values are expressed through collective action.
“It gives me real joy that we aren’t just talking about interfaith harmony—we’re living it,” said Husain Jabalpurwala, one of the event’s lead organizers and a community engagement board member with Rise Against Hunger. “What we have is not simply dialogue, but an actionable service project where our diverse community comes together to serve. This proves that when we take action across faiths, we make a real impact.”
Faith partners echoed this sentiment. Jackie Barreto, Youth Pastor at LifePath Church, highlighted the strength of the ongoing collaboration. “We are thankful for our ongoing relationship with the Dawoodi Bohra masjid in our community and the opportunity to serve together over the years,” she said. “Though we come from different faith traditions, we believe God’s love calls us to love our neighbors through action and service.”
For many volunteers, the experience is both impactful and deeply personal. “Working together to stay synchronized and pack each meal correctly really highlights the power of teamwork,” said Adnan Kapadia, a participating volunteer. “Serving alongside our neighbors from LifePath Church has strengthened a sense of community and connection. The events are very well organized and truly fulfilling.”
Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic initiative, focuses on key areas including hunger relief, education, health, and environmental stewardship. In Houston, the Rise Against Hunger event stands as a consistent example of how sustained local action can contribute to broader global efforts.
As the initiative enters its eighth year, organizers and volunteers remain focused on expanding participation and deepening partnerships—continuing to turn shared values into meaningful, measurable impact.
