As the festive season of giving approaches, Zakat Foundation of America’s East Coast volunteers are already stepping up to respond to present-day crises around the world. These past few weeks, youth volunteers have been focusing on two major humanitarian campaigns: emergency relief aid for Rohingya refugees and Puerto Ricans in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
To raise money, Zakat Foundation of America’s Delaware office hosted a series of dinners to celebrate the rich diversity of the local community. The events, also popularly known as “cultural nights,” provided the space for community members to share their rich ethnic heritage — and of course delicious food.
Many Indian-American families based in the Delaware area cooked traditional meals including sizzling tandoori chicken, spicy biryani, and a Bengali dessert called kalo jaam. A table displayed traditions from the Indian subcontinent including mendhi (henna) and colorful sarees (dresses).
“I enjoyed having Indian food and learning about your culture while participating in a great cause,” said Nancy Houston, one of the community members. All proceeds from the event went to Zakat Foundation of America efforts to help Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.