Thanksgiving Blessings




Yesterday families all over the U.S. gave thanks for the blessings in their lives.  Most celebrated the day with a traditional turkey dinner with family and friends.

Each year Drs. Shoshara and Shakir work on an annual turkey drive to provide turkeys to needy families in the Chicago area.  Dr. Shakir’s father runs a food pantry in Chicago and together with several volunteers and organizations they put together the 14th Annual Chicago Muslim Turkey Drive.  How fitting it is that on the 14th Drive they could distribute 1400 turkeys (almost double the amount of turkeys from just two years ago)!   We are grateful for the many donors who helped to put a delicious meal on the table for families in need.

Three Chicago public schools Fiske and Till in the Jackson Park area and Fairfield in the Marquette Park community opened their doors for families to come to pick up their turkeys. The drive was able to provide for residents on the west and south sides of Chicago.   One longtime resident expressed how grateful she was that the drive has continued and thrived at a time when area church congregations have shrunk limiting their ability to care for the needs of those in the community.

Drs. Shoshara and Shakir with their children
We’d like to recognize and thank Sabeel Food Pantry, The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), the Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN), the Muslim community, Union Lodge #155 of Free and Accepted Masons, the Mohammed Webb Foundation, Community Builders of Chicago, the Islamic Foundation and its Muslim Leadership Academy Sunday School, Cargill Foods, the many volunteers from Fiske, Till and Fairfield schools, Pediatric Health Associates and the many, many donors and supporters who made this all possible.

A one day event takes more planning that you’d expect!  Preparations begin in January of each year and continue until distribution day.  We are so grateful for the generosity of so many people who donate their time, talents and resources to make this event possible!


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