Islamic Relief USA to hold Ramadan Pack-Out in Addison

Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization that is marking its 25th anniversary this year, will hold its annual Ramadan Food Box Pack-Out session in Addison on Saturday, April 28.

Sessions will take place on Saturday, April 28, at New Royal Distributors, 1544 W Wrightwood Ct., Addison, Ill 60101. Shift one is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second shift is from 2 to 6 p.m.

The sessions consist of volunteers packing boxes with many nonperishable foods. The packages will be given to people in need in their local communities through food pantries, houses of worship, among other locations. The goal is to create some 5,000 packaged meals at each location. All food will go to residents in the United States.

"During Ramadan, it is essential for Muslims to not only fast from sunrise to sunset,” said Said Durrah, national volunteers manager for IRUSA. “It also is a time to reflect, to think about people in your community with little means, especially with regards to healthy food. The food box pack-out sessions enable local communities to make a positive difference.”

Among the different tasks volunteers could do are putting together and breaking down cardboard boxes, carrying and arranging boxes of food, and sealing packages.

The pack-outs already have taken place in Texas and New Jersey. Another packout in Virginia is scheduled on May 5.

This year also marks the 25th year of the founding of IRUSA. For more information on the organization or the pack-outs, visit irusa.org.