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Muslim community 'unite' to buy items for foodbank

Luton Foodbank Maqsood Anwar, wearing a black T-shirt, standing by a car that is full of tinned goods. He is looking straight at the camera and has short hair that is slightly greying. Luton Foodbank
Maqsood Anwar said "we have been supporting Luton Foodbank for over a decade"

A town's Muslim community has been praised for helping to raise more than £5,000 forwards a winter food campaign.

With the help of Inspire FM, a Luton community group, 13 mosques across the town took part in a dedicated Friday money collection to purchase edible goods.

Salma Khan, director of operations at Luton Foodbank, said she was "delighted" by "truly amazing and heart-warming" donations.

She said the Muslim community support the charity throughout the year but this year more groups came together.

Luton Foodbank A group of men in a mosque, two men are holding red buckets for donations. Several men are behind with their back to the camera. Luton Foodbank
Money collected at Luton Central Mosque was spent on items for Luton Foodbank

"This is the first time so many mosques have united to support us", Ms Khan added.

"It's so nice to see every part of the community taking part, it's amazing, truly heart-warming."

She said the money had already made "a huge difference" and meant there were enough donations for over the festive period and into early January, when donations can dip.

She added: "Christmas is a time of year that people who don't have much are forced to spend money on gifts, food and heating, so it pushes a lot of people into crisis."

Luton Foodbank Two people standing by a large amount of boxes with food items in them. The boxes are black, green and blue. One man to the left is hearing a blue top, jacket, high-vis and trousers, the other man to the right is wearing a green top, dark trousers and a high-vis jacket. They are both looking at the camera.Luton Foodbank
Luton Foodbank said although it currently has a large amount of food, donations are still needed to help people who struggle after the festive season

Mohammed Tariq, from Inspire FM, said: "We are deeply appreciative of the mosques coming together to support the local Foodbank during this critical time.

"This act of unity and generosity truly reflects their core values."

Maqsood Anwar, from the Madinah Masjid mosque, said it has supported the "much-needed" foodbank for over a decade and "we are more than happy to help".

Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chisti MBE said: "Feeding the hungry is one of our duties as Muslims."

Elizabeth Stringer, the chairman of the foodbank, said: "With higher numbers of people using the foodbank, all contributions will help with food distribution throughout the colder months."

Luton Foodbank Large amounts of tinned and jarred food, all in boxes, piled in a room. Luton Foodbank
Large numbers of tins and jars have been delivered to Luton Foodbank at its base at High Town Enterprise Centre

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