Food bank need crosses cultural, religious boundaries
04.12.2008 17:00
Shopping
- Source: cbc.ca
Food banks across the GTA continue to look for donations as the holiday season approaches. But donations are dropping in at least one specialized area — and that has implications for Muslims who use the food bank and who also have special dietary requirements. "With the recent immigration — and a lot of refugees and recent immigrants from Muslim countries — many of them, because of their economic conditions, are facing some difficult circumstances," said Muneeb Nasir. Nasir has been donating through an online charity, Muslim Serve. The charity collects those online donations and uses the money to buy halal meat and deliver it to food banks. Nasir donates during Eid Al-Adha when he is required to give a donation to feed the hungry. But the need is great throughout the year. Traditionally the donations go overseas, but Nasir says he also sees a real need to feed the hungry in the GTA. The meat that Nasir's donations buy go to the Daily Bread Food Bank and will be the only meat accessible to Muslims. Meat prepared for regular consumption isn't allowed, because Muslims are required to eat meat that has been slaughtered in way they consider pure, or halal. Shah Husein, who founded Muslim Serve five years ago, says the need in the GTA is great. "This is the first time in five years that our donation level has gone down," said Husein. "In all previous years we have been going up at the rate of 60 per cent every year." The Daily Bread Food Bank got more than 5,000 kilos of halal meat last year, giving Muslim clients the rare opportunity to include fresh meat in their diets. Linda Ciatola of the food bank says the special meat is expensive "so a lot of people might not be able to afford it. But it's also part of an essential diet. If you are low in protein and iron it has the nutrients that you might not receive in other foods." Consumer HeadlinesSloppiness at passport offices put Canadians' privacy at risk: reportA review by Canada's federal privacy commissioner has found passport offices failed to adequately protect consumers' personal information, noting passport applications were stored in clear plastic bags and sensitive documents were thrown in trash cans and recycle bins.More Canadians filed for bankruptcy in OctoberThe number of Canadians filing for insolvency protection jumped in October as the global financial crisis sent more individuals into bankruptcy, according to national statistics released Thursday. Building permit values drop 15.7%The value of building permits in October totaled $5.4 billion — a 15 per cent decrease from the previous month, Statistics Canada said Thursday.Alone, but not lonely: Canadian internet users still social animals, study findsCanadians who spend more time than others on the internet may spend more time alone, but the wide array of social tools available online means these people are far from isolated, according to a Statistics Canada study published Thursday.Barbie beats Bratz in U.S. court Toy giant Mattel Inc., after a four-year legal dispute with MGA Entertainment Inc., touted its win in the case Wednesday after a federal judge banned MGA from making and selling its pouty-lipped and hugely popular Bratz dolls. Consumer Life FeaturesFOODConsumer tipsHow to shop for your family without breaking the bankECONOMYGift cardsThe lure of plasticSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesBLOGFood BytesHigh-stakes baking: Cookie exchangesWORKING LIFEMalcolm GladwellCOMM-ODDITIESAuctionFlying Aerocar up for grabs on eBayPeople who read this also read …
| 
Add comment