DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – After nightly iftar meals during Ramadan, Nadine Daoud observed a common issue among her family members: pots and trays of untouched leftover food crowded her grandmother's refrigerator. This excess often went unnoticed and eventually ended up wasted. Driven by this observation, Daoud founded The Helping Handzzz Foundation in 2017, aiming to connect volunteers during the Islamic holy month to combat food waste. The foundation's mission centers around gathering excess food from families in Dearborn, where nearly half of the 110,000 residents are of Arab descent, and distributing it to those experiencing homelessness in nearby Detroit.
Daoud articulated that the organization's efforts reflect Islam's emphasis on respecting resources, particularly food, while aligning with Ramadan's themes of self-discipline and empathy for the less fortunate. "Every family cooks a lot of food to end the night when you're breaking your fast," Daoud explained. "And a lot of food gets left over. We noticed that much of this food was just getting stored in the fridge and forgotten about the next day." She decided that instead of letting the food go to waste, they would take it to individuals in need, offering meals alongside beverages and sweet treats.
On a recent evening, board members of Helping Handzzz, including Hussein Sareini and Daoud Wehbi, along with four other volunteers, gathered for an iftar meal prepared by Sareini's mother. After the meal, attendees participated in daily prayers before Wehbi and Sareini hopped into a truck to collect leftover dishes from several local homes. They then reconvened in the parking lot of a nearby mosque, where Daoud and others coordinated the organization of the food for distribution.
The team then traveled to various locations in Detroit, where those without housing are often found. Board member Mariam Hachem approached a man bundled in blankets on the sidewalk, saying, "Hi, we have a meal for you. We're going to set it right here, OK?" After receiving a positive response, the volunteers added bottled water and a sweet treat to accompany the meal container.
During the sacred month of Ramadan, the Helping Handzzz team operates this food distribution process six nights a week, taking Sundays off. This effort comes after fasting from sunrise to sunset, highlighting the dedication of the volunteers. Wehbi, a 27-year-old design engineer at Toyota, emphasized the importance of gratitude for what one has. Sareini, who runs a residential remodeling business, expressed his willingness to stay out until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. each night to contribute positively to the community. "It's all about appreciating what you have," he remarked.
Wehbi noted that their annual service effort coinciding with Ramadan is no coincidence. "It's not just a 'no food, no drink' time," he stated. "It’s a lot about growing and coming together as a community and bettering ourselves and bettering each other." Through their collective action, the Helping Handzzz Foundation embodies the spirit of giving that is central to Ramadan, effectively addressing food waste while providing necessary support to individuals in need.
