Putting on smile, Sister Aminah Abdullah starts her day at 6 am at the Muslim Community Center warehouse.
The Bay Area Muslim loads up their van with bags filled with groceries to deliver them to residents at their door.
This has been her routine since pandemic. Starting with only 16 families, they now deliver food to 350 needy families.
“I think it’s important for our faith, service. Just helping those in need,” Abdullah told CBS News.
“That’s the whole purpose of the Muslim Community Center, to help the community and those who are struggling.”
A few hours later, volunteers show up at the Muslim community center warehouse to pack more bags and then put them into more vehicles.
Helping Everyone
While most of the people they serve are within the Muslim Community, they don’t turn people away.
“The food is going to primarily elderly, who can’t get out and about easily,” Abdullah said. “It’s going to single mothers who a lot of them don’t have transportation. We’re also now helping Afghan refugees.”
For many, Abdullah’s smile is the best thing that defines her.
“I don’t know how she does it, she works with a smile. There are a lot of people who need her,” said Rahim Quddus with the Muslim Community Center.
Winter is a difficult time for the homeless and rough sleepers. With increasing energy bills and living costs, winter months have become a challenge to many families to make ends meet.
Muslims usually lead similar efforts to help the homeless during winter.
According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 37.2 million Americans currently live in poverty.