History of the Food Drive

Fighting Hunger, Building Hope: Sustainable Solutions for Stronger Communities

Origins & Mission

Food insecurity is a growing and urgent challenge, affecting individuals and families who struggle to access consistent, nutritious meals. Many factors contribute to this crisis, including financial instability, food deserts, rising costs, and systemic inequities that limit access to healthy options.

Recognizing this critical need, the Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) launched the Food Security Initiative to provide long-term, sustainable solutions that go beyond temporary assistance. Our mission is to empower communities by ensuring reliable access to food, promoting nutrition education, and advocating for better food systems.

How It Started?

This project started by ILIA's internship program students. Jennah Nahavandi back 2018, then Adham Abd-Elqader during 2022 then Hamza Abd-Elmotagly 2023 then Shane Ford 2024 \ 2025, They gave their effort to address food shortages in underserved areas. ILIA saw firsthand how financial instability and limited resources created barriers to healthy eating, leading to the development of structured food distribution programs, collaborative partnerships, and youth-driven service projects to combat hunger.

Why It’s Important?

Providing Essential Nutrition: Ensuring families and individuals receive consistent access to food.
Empowering Local Communities: Involving youth, volunteers, and local leaders to create lasting solutions.
Strengthening Awareness: Educating communities about food sustainability, nutrition, and access challenges.
Reducing Barriers to Resources: Expanding support through food drives, community kitchens, and advocacy efforts.

Key Milestones

✅ Launched structured food distribution efforts.

✅ Developed partnerships with local organizations.

✅ Empowered youth through service-based food programs.

✅ Established sustainable models for long-term community impact.

How We Make a Difference?

Our Food Security Initiative creates lasting change by not just providing meals but by building sustainable solutions for food access and education.

Key Outcomes

✅ Thousands of meals distributed annually: ensuring families have consistent access to nutritious food.
✅ Youth-led projects developing innovative food accessibility solutions: empowering the next generation to combat hunger.
✅ Strategic partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and volunteers: strengthening long-term food security efforts.
✅ Community engagement through nutrition education, advocacy, and sustainable food systems: fostering lasting change.
✅ Support for vulnerable populations, including seniors, low-income families, and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
✅ Expansion of food distribution centers and programs: creating more accessible resources for those in need.
✅ Collaboration with farms and local producers: encouraging healthier, locally sourced food options.
✅ Workshops on food sustainability, urban farming, and reducing food waste: inspiring communities to take action.

Stories from the Community

📢 "This program gave us more than food, it gave us hope." – Local Beneficiary
📢 "Through our service projects, we learn the value of giving back." – Youth Volunteer
📢 "This program gave us more than food, it gave us hope." – Local Beneficiary After facing financial hardship, a single mother struggled to provide meals for her children. Through ILIA’s Food Security Initiative, she not only received nutritious groceries but also guidance on budget-friendly meal planning, helping her regain stability and confidence in providing for her family.
📢 "I never realized how much food insecurity affects people until I got involved." – Youth Volunteer A high school student joined ILIA’s youth-led food distribution efforts, initially just to earn volunteer hours. What started as a commitment to service soon became a passion for helping others, inspiring him to advocate for food security in his school and explore ways to expand ILIA’s outreach.
📢 "We didn’t just receive food, we received dignity." – Elderly Community Member Many seniors in the community struggle with fixed incomes and access to fresh food. Through ILIA’s grocery assistance program, one elderly participant shared how having reliable access to healthy meals allowed her to focus on living well, without the stress of food insecurity weighing her down.

With continued support, ILIA’s Food Security Initiative is expanding, introducing new ways to support communities through education, advocacy, and strategic food distribution efforts.

🚀 Join us in making a difference, one meal, one solution, and one empowered community at a time.

Meet Your Team

Ayman Nassar

Founder, President

Shane Ford

Project Manager

Moutasem Saif

Vice President

Mohamed Fekry

Digital & Program Operations Coordinator

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