Philadelphia Homeless and Needy Served Relief, with Dignity

The young veiled woman handed a Day of Dignity flyer to the homeless man standing in front of her. He looked down at the flyer and noticed the event location. “I used to live right by there,” he said. “I lived on the church steps at 21st and Chestnut.” Monika Nagpal was devastated to hear this, “because he referred to his home as a set of steps,” she said. Nagpal tirelessly served as coordinator of Islamic Relief USA’s Day of Dignity in Philadelphia this past Sunday.

Outside the gated doors of First Unitarian Church, in the heart of the city, hundreds of homeless and impoverished people filed into the church pews and stood in a line running outside and around the block to receive bags, ponchos, hygiene items, blankets, clothing, toiletries, medical, dental and vision screenings and food, all served by over 100 volunteers with warm smiles and kind greetings. Many volunteers were devout Muslims who were also fasting amid the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Philadelphia’s Day of Dignity was a joint collaboration between Islamic Relief USA, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Fixing Philly, United Muslim Foundation, Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and First Unitarian Church.

Shirleen, an elderly aid beneficiary, was seated in one of the church’s pews just before aid distribution began. She talked about people of different faiths coming together to help out the needy in their community: “It’s a good thing,” said Shirleen. “We’re all united as one.”

After eight years of organizing the event only during the month of Ramadan, Islamic Relief USA lengthened the Day of Dignity 2010 effort to 10 weekends last year. This year it has expanded it to 22 cities. This year’s events began on June 19 in South Dakota and the last event will be in December.

With winter just a few short months away in a city that often suffers from brutal weather filled with heavy snow, icy streets and dangerous wind chills, many beneficiaries were thankful for relief aid. “I’m gonna be warm for the winter,” said Gregory, an aid recipient.

Robert, a Vietnam War veteran and aid recipient, offered to help Day of Dignity volunteers move boxes of supplies. “That’s what the military taught me: to help my fellow people,” he said, partaking in the event’s mission of helping others.

After beneficiaries went through the aid line and received health screenings, they were directed outside the building where a food distribution tent was set up serving pizza, beverages, crackers and other food. “This is the first thing I’ve eaten all day,” said one man after taking a bite of his pizza slice. “It sure tastes good,” he said.

“Many of our beneficiaries were so content they didn't want more than what they already had,” said Nagpal. “It's a strong reminder that we, being as privileged as we are, really need to re-evaluate what is really necessary in life and not confuse that with the luxuries we are accustomed to.”

To learn more about Day of Dignity or to find out when it’s coming to a city near
you, click here.

-- Muneeza Tahir