Families find help at Barakah Muslim Charity's 5th annual Day of Dignity
A family of four patiently awaited an RTS bus on Jefferson Avenue, carrying more bags full of essential food and hygiene supplies.
They seemed to have just beat the rush as a long line extended down Jefferson into Barakah Muslim Charity, which held its 5th annual Day of Dignity on Saturday Afternoon.
Sponsored by Islamic Relief USA, the Day of Dignity campaign is a series of events held around the nation to help people who are homeless or from low-income households access services like housing transition, job resources, food, medical services, haircuts, winter supplies, school kits, and hygienic products.
Rochester's event helped an estimated 1,000 people.
"Obviously, people are suffering, and this is helping the community," Barakah's finance director, Alma Omerhodzic, said.
To Omerhodzic's left, a coat rack was available for school-aged children, while a young man got a free haircut behind her.
"By giving them jackets, by giving them some food, providing school supplies, maybe it will help them have extra money for rent and basics like utility bills," Omerhodzic said.
"Poverty and homelessness, unfortunately, remain major problems, and inflation has only made it more difficult for millions of others to make ends meet," an Islamic Relief USA spokesperson said.
Saturday's gathering was the largest the charity has seen for its Day of Dignity. One reason may be inflation; food, gas, and rent prices have risen locally over the last year, forcing working families to reach out for help, a dynamic Omerhodzic finds troubling because "they're working and unable to sustain themselves."
More: Barakah Muslim Charity provides hope on Jefferson Avenue
Another reason for the inpouring of families Saturday may be the number of asylum seekers who have come to Monroe County over the last month.
"They're looking for school supplies for their children and jackets because they're not prepared for Rochester weather," Omerhodzic said.
"I'm hoping by coming today, they know that we are here, and they come back for more services in the future."
Omerhodzic and the Barakah staff bounced back and forth frantically during the event, attempting to service all the families seeking support, but the charity is understaffed.
Through partnerships with local leaders and grants, they can provide more service for Rochester's new residents and the Jefferson Avenue community they serve daily through outreach initiatives and their food pantry. Nonetheless, they also strongly invite volunteers to join their cause.
"Please just come," Omerhodzic asserted. "We hope this provides relief for the families, and we hope that they know we are here for them."
Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.
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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Barakah Muslim Charity holds 5th annual Day of Dignity
