Munni

I have a Pakistani friend that wants to start a soup kitchen for the needy (Mash'Allah). Giving cooked food to the needy(non-muslims or muslims doesnt matter). Her parents dont want people coming to the house, and she doesnt know if masjids will consider having it there. She was also asking how to know a needy person from just a regular person wanting food (like lets say she is at the masjid having it on a weekly basis, how to differentiate ppl). If anyone knows how to go about starting one and what to do, please post here, and I will let her know. Thank you.

cat-woman

Churches do it, especially during winter time. I used to go with my friends to distribute soup to the needy. (They were part of the Catholic group on campus and it was close to university. Was it wrong of me to go to a church and do that? I dont know, at the time it felt right.

Crescent

Your intentions count. NOt your location. Or environment.

And the best thing to do would be at a masjid. A masjid is a place for refuge, where a muslim or a non muslim can go and get his fullfilment in the house of allah.

Munni

Thanks for the replies. Okay so apparently people do this at masjids. How to invite people to the masjid that are needy? I wonder how churches do it. One of my Sikh friends said that his gurdwara has a soup kitchen once a week or once a month (i forget). Do you think if we ask Christians at different churches that they would be willing to share info? I'm guessing they would.

Zakiii

In Attock, Pakistan some Masjids and Gurdawara’s have langar’s occasionally, it’s a great idea.

Munni

Allah has been kind to me and gave me an idea when I was in the kitchen. *smile*

Advertise it in the paper, as in an article. I think it would generate interest since a masjid is opening its doors to needy ppl of all religions. Then perhaps ppl can see the ad and come. Insha'Allah.

If anyone wants to do this in their own neighborhood, let me know and we can share ideas, etc. I will let you know how it goes with my friend. Insha'Allah. *smile*

M

its a great idea.

Munni

My friend wanted to let you know that if anyone would like to donate to buy food for this project once its up and running, please let me know. However she is going to try and get the community involved to donate, but you are welcome to do so, if you wish. Insha'Allah. *smile*

~Tikhi Jalebi~

thank u so much i think i am gonna do something like that but havent gotten the ok from dad yet...for us, we dont really have any poor ppl here at alll so we are actually gonna cook here, or collect the food/money from here n take it to the masjids in detroit areas taht need it...n i think its good if non-muslims could come n eat too cuz that would expose them to islam

Girl from Quraysh

Just another thought, if you can't start up one on your own, maybe you can support an existing set up.

~Tikhi Jalebi~

well its so that they can have halal food

Munni

I just wanted to share the good news with those interested. We contacted the Imam at the masjid and Alhumdulillah he agreed to the idea. I am soooooooooo happyyyyyy. *smile* I was soooo nervous cause I was afraid he was going to say no, but Alhumdulillah that didnt happen. hehe. *smile* Please pray for its success and feel free to start one in your own area. If you need any assistance, let me know, insha'Allah. Jazak'Allah khairum.

Thanks again for the encouragement and advice. *smile*