Volunteers filled the Markham Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 7, to assemble food baskets for families who struggle to keep groceries on the table, as Muslim Welfare Canada's Project Ramadan held one of its annual build events in the city.

Each basket holds staple foods meant to last a household about a month. Mayor Frank Scarpitti told the crowd the Markham build was expected to produce 1,400 packages to support 700 families.

Where the food goes

The baskets are handed out through food banks and community organizations across the region, several of them in Markham. According to the Markham Review, local recipients include:

  • Markham Food Bank: more than 50 baskets

  • Markham Community Connect: more than 50 baskets

  • Gibson Centre Food Bank: more than 40 baskets

  • Muslim Women of Vaughan: more than 35 baskets

Project Ramadan began in 2009 and is run entirely by volunteers. Baskets go to families regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. This year the program has planned six build events and has set a goal of raising $500,000 to help 6,000 families.

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins later in February. The baskets are meant to help households through the month, when many families gather for evening meals to break the fast.

Local leaders attend

Scarpitti and Ward 7 Coun. Nimisha Patel joined Shahid Khan, executive director of Muslim Welfare Canada, and Muhammad Iqbal Ali, president of its board, for the opening remarks. The mayor said the program reflects values that go beyond any single faith, describing it as working "in the true spirit of Ramadan, I'll say also in the true spirit of Canada, to be able to help those of all backgrounds, of all religious beliefs."

And if that is not Canadian, I don't know what is.

— Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham

Muslim Welfare Canada was founded in 1993 by Major Muhammad Abbas Ali as a small food bank. It has since grown into a national organization working on poverty in Canada and abroad.

Residents who want to support the campaign can donate or find out about future build events through the Project Ramadan website, projectramadan.com.