Gift Bags Provide a Sense of Normalcy for Celebrations

 

 Many nonprofit organizations came together to provide assistance to the less fortunate during the COVID-19 crisis. Social Health and Medical Service Clinic (SHAMS Clinic) is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the health and social well-being of underserved communities in Philadelphia. SHAMS Clinic partnered with the Islamic Center of North America Relief (ICNA Relief), which specializes in providing assistance following a national disaster and to underprivileged individuals.  

 The COVID-19 pandemic has affected events and celebrations across the country, including religious holidays. Eid al-Fitr, or “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims that marks the conclusion of Ramadan, and it is custom for adults to give children presents as   part of the celebrations. However, due to COVID-19, many families were not able to practice Eid al-Fitr traditions, but SHAMS Clinic and the ICNA wanted to help. 

 The SHAMS Clinic, along with the ICNA, prepared and distributed 100 gift bags filled with toys, donated by the Toys for Tots and Good360 partnership, to children from low-income families in celebration of the Festival. This gave Muslim families and children in these underserved Philadelphia   communities a sense of normalcy during the pandemic.