Luton Mosques Unite to Raise £5,000 for Winter Food Campaign

A Muslim community in Luton has been commended for raising over £5,000 to support the town’s foodbank through a collaborative winter campaign.

With the backing of Inspire FM, 13 mosques united for a special Friday collection to purchase essential food items for Luton Foodbank. The initiative marks the first time so many mosques have come together to support the charity in this way, BBC reported.

Salma Khan, director of operations at Luton Foodbank, expressed her gratitude.

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“This is the first time so many mosques have united to support us,” she said.

“It’s so nice to see every part of the community taking part. It’s amazing, truly heart-warming.”

She explained that the funds raised have already made a significant impact, ensuring the foodbank is well-stocked for the festive period and into early January, a time when donations typically decline.

“Christmas is a time of year when people who don’t have much are forced to spend money on gifts, food, and heating, pushing many into crisis,” Khan added.

Mohammed Tariq from Inspire FM highlighted the spirit of unity behind the campaign. “We are deeply appreciative of the mosques coming together to support the local foodbank during this critical time. This act of unity and generosity truly reflects their core values,” he said.

For Maqsood Anwar of Madinah Masjid mosque, supporting Luton Foodbank has been a long-standing commitment. “We have been supporting Luton Foodbank for over a decade, and we are more than happy to help,” he said.

Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chisti MBE, another community leader, emphasized the religious motivation behind the effort. “Feeding the hungry is one of our duties as Muslims,” he said.

The donations have provided much-needed relief during a time of increasing demand. Elizabeth Stringer, chairman of Luton Foodbank, acknowledged the significance of the contributions.

“With higher numbers of people using the foodbank, all contributions will help with food distribution throughout the colder months,” she said.

Although the current donations have stocked the foodbank, ongoing support is vital to meet the continued needs of the community after the holiday season.

This collaborative effort underscores the strength of community solidarity and the commitment to helping those in need, particularly during challenging times.