Astoria Halal Fridge Ramadan Fundraiser 2023

Help feed our neighbors and fight food insecurity during Ramadan and throughout the year!

Astoria Halal Fridge (AHF) is incredibly excited to partner with Malikah in our fight for food security in Western Queens. Ramadan is a sacred month for many things — one of those being charity. It is the month of kindness, during which our good deeds will be multiplied. Whoever feeds the hungry and fasting person will have their sins forgiven and will receive a reward equal to that of the person they feed.

Our Ramadan Grocery Delivery Program will launch on Sunday, March 26th, 2023. If you are interested in volunteering and making deliveries, fill out this form! (car not necessary!)

Our 2023 Ramadan Program (Cost: $1,000) :

-- Distribute groceries for (1) week to 40 families (many are single-parent households)

-- Each family will receive one grocery delivery per week enough for a family of 5

-- What will be in the food packages?

1. Bread

2. Cheese

3. 2 cans of foul

4. Canned chickpeas

5. Dates

6. Lentils

7. Pasta

8. Rice

9. Cooking oil

Each grocery bag costs $25. The total cost of the program is $1,000.

Any additional money will allow us to distribute more packages and hot meals.

Yearly Operation, Maintenance + Emergency Funds (Cost: $3,500):

This fundraiser will also help sustain our fridge for the rest of the year and help us put aside some emergency funds for repairs. We restock the fridge weekly via a grocery run (~$60) and rescue food from local businesses + grocery delivery services. The fridge is also open for anyone to drop off donations from 5AM - 11PM.

$60 per week to restock x 52 weeks = $3,120 per/year to keep the fridge restocked

Fridge Maintenance / Emergency funds = $380-500

What is Astoria Halal Fridge ?

The Astoria Halal Fridge (AHF) is a grassroots, community-funded initiative aimed at fighting food insecurity and food waste in Western Queens. Founded in early 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers and volunteers came together in the spirit of mutual aid to ensure our neighbors are fed and have access to quality food. Inspired by community fridges founded in New York during the pandemic, we saw a need to establish a free pantry stocked with local halal favorites in our neighborhood.

The Quran Verse (76:8-9):

(The righteous are those) who give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

***Quality food access is justice!***

Food insecurity, which disproportionately impacts Black, Latinx, and communities of color, has drastically increased during the pandemic. Black and Latinx New Yorkers were 3x as likely to have experienced food insecurity than white New Yorkers, according to a recent survey from The Poverty Tracker. Astoria is made up of many working individuals in the taxi and rideshare industry, the performing arts, the restaurant/hospitality industry, as well as many immigrants - all of which have been greatly impacted by COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, 1/4 of residents in Astoria spent half of their income on rent, which means they have less money to afford healthy fresh food.

Are you located in New York and interested in volunteering? Contact our team!

Instagram: Astoriahalalfridge