 So my name is Nizar Ahmed as brother Manid had mentioned my family has been engaged in the MCC food pantry since August of 2020 and We've seen multiple families. We've seen it grow in one way Alhamdulillah the food pantry has been able to help these families and in one way It's sad that there's a lot of people losing jobs or people who actually don't have the skills to actually go get jobs Or even have rides That's where the MCC food pantry. Alhamdulillah has been able to help Last year the MCC food pantry helped over 350 families Now this is Families that have come here that may not have jobs may not speak English and the MCC food pantries has helped them with getting job Assistance educating them on how to actually approach these jobs as well as getting cars Donated fixing them up and helping them try to get to these jobs So it's not the fact that families are just coming in and they're just like sitting on these food pantry donations MCC food pantry is empowering these families To get stronger to learn to get on their feet and achieve and get out of the system as well Why is this important to me? Let me tell you a quick story When I was younger a lot younger than I am now my poor mother she worked about three to four jobs And it was very difficult for her and may a lot bless her for what she had done What she would do is you know we sometimes wouldn't have food and if you want come to me I'll tell you how you can survive on one meal a day and it's it's a hunger hurts It leaves lasting effects, but this one story. I'll tell you which really helped me try to grow When I was little my mother we didn't have all the halal options MashaAllah that we have today and so to go out and get a burger. It would be really awesome We went out to get a burger one day and he has one of those deals. There's 99 cent burgers subhanAllah She didn't have 99 cents and we sat in line Waiting the cashier was just waiting for us the people online were waiting for us My poor mother was going through her purse looking for pennies. I Wasn't educated enough in our theme. I Wasn't educated enough in my adab and I would get embarrassed And so I'd say listen. I don't want to go out anymore. I don't want to do any of this stuff anymore But eventually I learned These families are going through that we'll go my kids my wife and I will go to these families houses And the kids hide sometimes the older kids hide sometimes because they're embarrassed The little kids they don't know any better. They're excited to see the food. Why do I tell you this? This is a multiplier for you in this month of Ramadan. We're approaching the last ten days. Alhamdulillah This is a multiplier if you've given your zakat Great if you haven't given your zakat, this is an opportunity for both who have given or not given Open your hearts, please Give to the MCC food pantry the MCC food pantry is a hundred percent Eligible for your zakat because all the funds go to helping the families no administrative fees Nothing that gets taken care of the operations fund. Masha'Allah So if you have the chance Please give to this pantry because it empowers these families and Enables the children who are part of it to feel okay and the parents like I told you that story for my mother I don't know how she felt but as a parent now I can think of it. I wasn't helpful to her for that But these family members who we are giving food to They have one less worry about feeding their children. So please You have been Eating food today for the Ramadan you start your fast some of these families fast the whole year because they don't know Where the food is coming? JazakAllah Khairum for your time We're gonna play a video with more information like I said this pantry has been helping multiple families as great programs if you want to learn more about it, please do by visiting the website and Move your attention over to this video. JazakAllah Khairum for your time And thank you for choosing to be a member of the MCC community in this blessed month of Ramadan It is more important than ever to raise our zakat funds These funds enable MCC's crucial services to our growing community We serve refugee families domestic violence victims single mothers and low-income families with children By the grace of Allah and your generous support this year We expanded our capacity of the work we do by hiring a case manager Our dedicated case manager helps families find employment Secure affordable housing and work on ways to create long-term sustainable impact With your generous support as a cat fund enables families to avoid eviction creating stability and safety Almost 1,000 families were supported with rent assistance this past year some for several months In addition your donations fuel the rapidly expanding food pantry Which is the only local pantry that consistently provides food diapers and halal meat to over 300 local families each month Lack of access to a car is a barrier to economic mobility for refugees and those in need Alhamdulillah, we have a successful vehicle program giving almost 100 cars this past year that provides a stable and consistent way For families to get to work school the hospital and the message with ease We thank you for your continued support of the MCC zakat program And encourage you to give generously for the sake of Allah So that we may continue to serve these families and fulfill our communal obligations Assalamu alaikum