Islamic Relief USA to Feed More than 2,400 U.S. Families During Holiday Season

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Islamic Relief USA (IR USA), a relief and development organization based in metro D.C., announced today that it will distribute food parcels to more than 2,400 struggling families across the country in the upcoming weeks.

The food parcels, each consisting of 10 pounds of packaged meat, are part of IR USA's Qurbani/Udhiya program. Qurbani/Udhiya (the act of sacrifice) is a religious tradition that Muslims participate in every year during Eid al-Adha (festival of sacrifice) as a way to commemorate the story of the prophet Abraham.

This year, IR USA collected approximately $2 million for its Qurbani/Udhiya program and will distribute the meat packages to 25 locations nationwide in the upcoming weeks.

"Islamic Relief USA is an organization committed to providing opportunities for people to put their faith into action," said IR USA CEO Abed Ayoub. "With hunger and poverty rates on the rise, our Qurbani/Udhiya program is one example of how we all can work together to provide solutions to the growing problems facing our society."

WHAT: IR USA Meat Distributions to Families in Need

WHEN: In the upcoming two to four weeks

WHERE (in alphabetical order by state): Phoenix, Ariz.; Anaheim, Calif.; Diamond Bar, Calif.; Irvine, Calif.; Oakland, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Hartford, Conn.; Kennesaw, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Portland, Maine; Baltimore, Md.; Detroit, Mich.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Wyandanch, N.Y.; Columbus, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Falls Church, Va.; and Herndon, Va.

NOTE: Media Professionals looking to cover local distributions of food should contact Domestic Programs at Islamic Relief USA at 703-236-2875 for exact dates and locations.

Inspired by Islam's values on charitable giving and community development, IR USA is a relief organization dedicated to alleviating poverty through disaster relief and development projects in the U.S. and globally for communities, regardless of color, race, religion or creed. For more information, please visit www.islamicreliefusa.org.

Islamic Relief USA's CFC (Combined Federal Campaign) number is 10194.

MEDIA CONTACT: Rabiah Ahmed at 202-439-1441 or [email protected]

SOURCE Islamic Relief USA