Essential Needs

Mariam* and Mahmood* arrived in Edmonton last year, as Syrian refugees. The husband, wife and their three young children, had very little support as they settled into the city. Facing language barriers, culture shock, unemployment, a disabled child, and financial stress, the distraught parents came to IslamicFamily for relief. With the help of IslamicFamily staff, Mariam and Mahmood were able to receive winter coats, household items, monthly food hampers, settlement support, and access to special needs services to support their child.  
*NAME CHANGED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY 
IslamicFamily's Essential Needs program provides support, resources and assistance to the most vulnerable individuals in our community. The program focuses on ensuring that clients’ immediate essential needs are met. Working alongside various organizations and agencies within Edmonton, like the Edmonton Food Bank, the Essential Needs program provides clients with halal food hampers, access to a monthly legal clinic, school backpacks, computers and phones, and access to resources within the Edmonton community that can assist clients in meeting their needs.

WHAT IS A HALAL FOOD HAMPER?

IslamicFamily, in partnership with the Edmonton’s Food Bank, offers Halal food hampers to all those in need, regardless of religious affiliation. The food in the hampers meets Islamic dietary criteria: meat products are slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines and food items are free of alcohol and pork products/byproducts. We also do our best to ensure that our food hampers include items that help sustain our clients’ regular dietary customs, including rice, flour, lentils and oil. 

HOW DO I GET HELP?

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact the IslamicFamily office. Our Intake Worker takes appointments to discuss and determine the needs of each client and their family, in order to offer the best possible support. Please note that we are not able to accommodate drop-in requests.  
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