National grassroots efforts tap into spirit of Ramadan
(Ottawa) The Ottawa Food Bank is once again joining Give 30, a grassroots initiative combating hunger across Canada this Ramadan.
Give 30 was founded in 2012 to raise awareness about the issue of hunger across Canada and motivate people of all backgrounds to support their local food bank during the month of Ramadan through GIVE30.ca. The 2015 campaign launches across country on June 11.
Give 30 has become a national campaign with 11 partner food banks in six provinces. The initiative has raised almost $250,000 to fight hunger over the past three years.
Give 30 is designed to motivate people who are fasting in Ramadan to donate the money they saved by skipping meals during the month. People who aren’t fasting can also take part, says Give 30 founder Ziyaad Mia, noting that donations have come from people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“Brown bag your lunch for the month or tally up 30 days of coffee money. Whatever it is, it can make a difference in the lives of those who don’t have enough to eat,” says Mia. The Toronto lawyer and social activist attributes the success of the campaign to the simplicity of the idea and the power of social media.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Give 30 campaign once again,” says Samantha Ingram, Communications Coordinator for the Ottawa Food Bank. “While the campaign centers around Ramadan, Give 30 really encourages everyone, regardless of faith, to participate in the effort to help our neighbours get beyond hunger.”
Ramadan is about giving, building community, and understanding the challenges of hunger, says Mia. That is why it works well motivating people to give. “Everyone can participate in the spirit of Ramadan,” Mia emphasizes. “Hunger knows no race, religion, ethnicity or creed and that’s why it’s important for everyone to join Give 30.”
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The Ottawa Food Bank is the Region’s central food assistance organization. Through its 140 member agencies, the Ottawa Food Bank provides food for 50,000 people per month, 37 per cent of whom were children. On average, 12 to 14 tons of food is shipped from its Michael Street warehouse each and every weekday. For more information on how the Ottawa Food Bank helps its neighbours get beyond hunger, or to make a secure online donation, please visit: www.ottawafoodbank.ca
About Give 30: Give 30 runs in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec, Mississauga, Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Regina and Kingston. Ramadan takes place from June 18 – July 16, 2015. The 2015 campaign runs until September 11. W: GIVE30.ca ~ FB: /GIVE30 ~ T: @GIVE_30
For more information:
Samantha Ingram
Communication Coordinator
Ottawa Food Bank
Samantha@ottawafoodbank.ca
613-745-7001 ext. 105
Ziyaad Mia
Founder
Give 30
416-303-9535 (cell – call or text)
