LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Muhammad Ali Center and Islamic Relief partnered together to provide meal packs to those who could use some help this winter. 

What You Need To Know

  • To commemorate Muhammad Ali's birthday and the 40th anniversary of Islamic Relief, the groups partnered together to pack 40,000 meals for those in need

  • Muhammad Ali Center President and CEO Marilyn Jackson says giving was a core principle for Ali

  • Over 150 volunteers showed up to pack meals

  • The meal packs will be distributed to food pantries around Kentucky

Student volunteers Rahim Kahloon and Gabriel Rollins, who joined in the effort, say they feel in their natural habitat of being able to help that will serve people right in their community.

“It feels great because I know all of us would come out here and do this any day of the week, anytime we can, but it means so much more when we’re here together and working together for each other,” said Kahloon.

“I’ve been here my whole life. So that was also an added layer of excitement, you know, to be able to help the community I’ve been a part of for so long it’s a blessing,” said Rollins.

The purpose of the event was to help fight against local hunger but also commemorate Muhammad Ali’s birthday and the 40th anniversary of Islamic Relief. Muhammad Ali Center President and CEO Marilyn Jackson says giving was a core principle for Ali.

“It’s, you know, part of what the Muhammad Ali Center is. It’s our DNA to figure out ways of embracing our community and giving back. And I know that Muhammad would want us to be doing this,” said Jackson. 

Islamic Relief Coordinator Shawana Javaid says as many as 829 million people go to bed hungry each night.

Javaid explains the meal packs consist of four ingredients: basmati rice, pinto beans, carrot flakes, and a seven spice mix. “And they’ll be distributed locally to our food pantries here in the Louisville area,” said Javaid.

Over 150 volunteers putting together 40,000 meals for those in need.   

“Maybe you can’t set up something as big as this, but all it takes is a quick trip to the grocery store and you’re walking down a block and you’ll find somebody that you can help,” said Rollins.

“At the end of the day, we’re just out here trying our best to make Louisville a better place and a safer place,” said Kahloon.

Both Kahloom and Rollins say this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last time of helping their community in this way. They hope others will be inspired to want to join next time. The meal packs will be distributed to food pantries around Kentucky.

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