By Dawar Naeem
(Dawar is a journalist with the Focus Media Arts Centre)

RamadanMealsTO was co-founded by Kumsa Baker and Walied Khogali Ali of Regent Park. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Walied and Kumsa, in collaboration with Healing As One, a grassroots organization in Regent Park, took this initiative to tackle food insecurity during the month of Ramadan.
 
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims all over the world. During the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting prayer and reflection, Muslims globally fast for 29-30 days. The month serves to remind members of their duty of care to each other. In reflecting on food insecurity, RamadanMealsTO ensures that all folks from low-income families have access to fresh halal food and healthy meals.  

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the RamadanMealsTO team have been distributing meals, door to door. Many of these deliveries are done by youth volunteers from the Regent Park community in partnership with Healing As One. This past Ramadan, 10,000 meals were delivered to homes in Regent Park as well as outside the community to homes across the City of Toronto. 

The RamadanMealsTo is supported by individuals, small businesses and various organizations in Toronto. The program also helps to strengthen the community by providing and creating various employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to the residents of Regent Park and surrounding neighbourhoods. The Ramadan meals initiative also collaborates with local mosques and catering collectives to achieve its goal of tackling food insecurity.  At the end of Ramadan, the team also distributed toys to the kids as Eid gifts. Eid marks the end of Ramadan which is celebrated by Muslims globally.