Community Spotlight: The Islamic Multi-Service Organization

Support from GBFB: GBFB supplies 94 percent of the pantry’s food. Motivated by faith: “The religion is: treat your brother the way you want to be treated,” says Food Pantry Executive Director Jamal Herring. “So, we get great pleasure out of doing this.” Twice a month, the Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO) sets up a supermarket-style food distribution in a local gymnasium—all of it assembled, distributed, and packed up by a team of dedicated volunteers in a matter of hours.

A transformative partnership: “We started out having to purchase our own foods,” Jamal explains, “then we ran into The Greater Boston Food Bank, and we’ve been in this relationship since then.” With free, nutritious food from GBFB, IMSO provides a variety of options to neighbors in need, including Halal meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, and milk. A GBFB grant aided the purchase of a walk-in refrigerator and freezer.

A commitment to the community: For years, IMSO has provided diverse and healthy food to the local community. The pantry serves people of many backgrounds and faiths, explains Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, the President of IMSO and Imam of Mosque Praise Allah. He switches between English, Spanish, and a few words of Mandarin as he greets clients and volunteers at the pantry. “We try to give good, healthy food—it’s our joy. This is what we call sadaqah, charity.”