Several Muslim groups and Islamic centers across the United States have been working hard to help the less fortunate mark Thanksgiving with comfort and happiness.

In Puget Sound, Washington, a local Muslim nonprofit has been distributing free meals to people in need for thanksgiving.

The Muslim Community Resource Center at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS-MCRC)

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In addition to about 1000 turkeys, including halal ones, the MAPS-MCRC is partnering with Kits for Peace to additionally provide blankets, jackets, and more warming items.

“Our low-risk, drive-through model of Thanksgiving boxed meal pickup at MAPS Redmond is our way of spreading love and sharing our blessings with our neighbors, aid recipients, partners, and volunteers, while adhering to the governor’s guidelines on social distancing and safety protocols,” MAPS-MCRC founder and CEO Nickhath Sheriff said in a press release quoted by 425 Magazine.

Thanksgiving is a celebration observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It is about giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Though it started as a Christian tradition, the celebration has become a cultural holiday observed by people of all faiths.

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Other Efforts

In Chicago, Inner-City Muslim Action Network, or IMAN, hosted the Annual Turkey Drive on Monday, November 23, with support from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).

The food drive helped deliver hundreds of free meals to neighbors and needy.

In New Jersey, the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association cooperated with Stevens Campus Police to conduct a food drive this weekend.

All food donated to St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church would help feed Hoboken’s homeless population.

Also, the MALEA group partnered up with ICNA Relief for a Winter giveaway event Monday in Somerset, NJ.

“Together we were able to distribute winter clothing for adults and children consisting of coats, hats, gloves, socks. Also turkeys for those in need,” the group said on Twitter.

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