Halifax Mosque Team Shortlisted for Top Award

Volunteers at the Central Jamia Masjid Madni in Halifax, operating the Halifax Community Fridge, are finalists for the prestigious Beacon Mosque Awards in the “Most Innovative Service” category.

This recognition comes in light of their extensive work to support vulnerable residents throughout the town, providing essential food, clothing, and more for those in need every day since August 2020, Halifax Courier reported.

The Halifax Community Fridge has become a lifeline for locals amid the challenges of COVID-19, the rising cost of living, and ongoing economic pressures.

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The team shared, “We’ve literally fed our town through Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.” Volunteers manage the project entirely, ensuring free access to all services.

In collaboration with local supermarkets, the initiative prevents over half a million kilograms of CO2 emissions by redistributing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

This food supports an average of 90 families daily, and every Thursday, the mosque’s Jilani Kitchen offers hot meals to anyone in need. Additionally, a unique pet food bank provides supplies to struggling pet owners, making it the only such resource in the area.

Year-Round Help

Beyond food, the Halifax Community Fridge addresses various needs within the community. Monthly street cleans and annual winter coat distributions help enhance both physical and social welfare in Halifax.

During Ramadan, they provide Iftaar meals for families struggling to break their fast. For refugees and low-income households, they have distributed over £30,000 in local Zakah funds, helping single mothers, refugees, and families in crisis.

The team’s Package for Sandy initiative supplies free sanitary products to women in need, combatting period poverty in the area.

Their Communi-Tea Cuppas program, held on weekends, provides a safe and friendly space where residents can enjoy Yorkshire tea and connect with one another, contributing to local mental health outreach.

The team also supports Muslim women escaping domestic violence, providing them with essential resources and ongoing, anonymous support.

The impact of Halifax Community Fridge extends beyond the town, with the volunteers assisting 20 other mosques across the country to establish similar community fridges.

Reflecting on their accomplishments, the team noted, “We are more than just a fridge; we have brought the whole community together, and the whole town supports the work of the Halifax Community Fridge.”

With their innovative and compassionate approach, Halifax Community Fridge ensures that “nobody has to go to sleep hungry” in Halifax and continues to inspire similar projects nationwide.