CARE with MWO

A Decade of CARE with MWO

Each year, the Muslim Women’s Organization supports Central Florida Muslim families in need by providing Community Assistance for Ramadan and Eid (CARE).  CARE Packages were first coordinated in 2012 as a unique program offering packages of food and traditional Ramadan grocery items to local families in preparation for the blessed month. In 2014, we incorporated the addition of the Eid Gift Drive, and later added the Eid Clothing Drive and Pop Up Shop. We also added halal meat distributions at different locations throughout the community.

We catered the program to meet the needs of women and families in our community and adjusted it as those needs changed. We are always mindful of existing community initiatives and do our best to partner with and support other organizations’ efforts rather than offer duplicate programs. What started as a project helping just under 200 families, grew to a community wide effort aiding over 700 families because of the generosity of our sponsors, donors and volunteers.

The coronavirus pandemic changed everything. In 2020, instead of partnering with local Muslim institutions, who now all had their own food distribution programs, we pivoted and began accepting direct requests for aid from the women in our community. Ramadan in 2020 was very early in the pandemic, so we minimized volunteer need and exposure by coordinating a drive-thru pick up of grocery gift cards and Halal store vouchers along with a package of dates. We had 188 families apply for aid and were able to provide each family with a gift card to Walmart and a $75 voucher to a halal meat store in their area. Every request we received was fulfilled. These families were able to buy what they needed and preferred for their families. There is dignity and joy in being able to select vegetables your children like or spices you prefer to use from the store yourself. When Eid came around, these families’ children had gifts delivered directly to their doors. 

Since 2020, our Community Service Manager has maintained regular contact with the families who receive support to provide other assistance as they needed it and refer them to partners who can help with regular food and aid. It has always been made possible because of sponsorships and donations from our generous Central Florida community, we are immensely grateful for your support.

support your neighbors in need with care

Alhamdulillah many institutions continue to provide hunger relief through food distributions.  When you donate to MWO's CARE (Community Assistance for Ramadan and Eid), however, your support will provide more focused and substantial aid to women in our community and their families. 

Each year we gather feedback from individual families about their needs and use this information to design our offerings, instead of a one-size fits all program. This year we are continuing our unique CARE Initiative.  Each woman we support has a different number of family members under their care, different cultural food/clothing preferences, different location and transportation in the Orlando area, and varied levels of need.  For example, a single mom, a survivor of violence, or someone living with a disability or illness will receive additional aid.  All families included in this year's program will be zakat eligible.

Your support will help change the lives of at least 200 families in meaningful ways. Families will receive the following aid, with amounts determined by their needs:

1. CARE Packages: Women will submit forms indicating their needs and preferences and then drive through to pick-up of the following items before the beginning of Ramadan

   1. Halal store voucher ($100-$200)

   2. Grocery store gift card ($100-$200)

   3. Package of Dates

   4. Sponsor/Partner gifts/offers

   5. Resource guide for local food distributions

2. Eid Clothing Pop-Up: New and gently used formal attire will be collected from the local community and arranged in a Pop-up shop at a local venue.  Families in need will be able to select outfits to make Eid extra special.  This year, EID CLOTHES WILL BE COLLECTED BEFORE RAMADAN, and distributed along with CARE Packages on the weekend of 3/1-3. For information, email service@mwo-orlando.org.

3. Eid Gifts: Each child from the families that apply will receive an Eid gift, valued at $25.  gifts will be ordered online and delivered to their homes for Eid.

4. Zakat Gift Cards:  We will distribute Zakat-ul-Fitr collected before Eid day.  Families will receive Gift Cards to local stores to help them prepare for Eid.

How You Can Help

You can help provide assistance to at least 200 Central Florida women supporting their families as single mother’s or the primary wage earners this Ramadan. To achieve our goal, $49,600 is needed, with $33,000 of this amount needed by February 20th, 2025, to distribute before Ramadan.

• DONATE*: Every dollar makes a difference. We have 4 easy ways to give:

  • Online via our Fundraising Page: Click on the “Donate” Button Below (small processing fee)

  • Zelle payments to info@mwo-orlando.org (no fees, directly deposited into our account)

  • Venmo your gift to @MWO-Orlando (no fees, directly deposited into our account)

  • Mail your check/money order or drop a donation off to MWO, 2813 S. Hiawassee Road, Suite 103, Orlando, FL 32835

    All donations are zakat eligible. To make zakat-specific donations, indicate “yes” for Zakat on the Donation Form. Zakat contributions are only used for Zakat eligible MWO programs.

• GIVE EID CLOTHES: Instructions COMING SOON! For details, email info@mwo-orlando.org

• VOLUNTEER: Sign up to help with CARE distribution events. To volunteer, email info@mwo-orlando.org

• SPONSOR: Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor this project. To become a sponsor, visit: https://form.jotform.com/mwo/sponsorship-form or email Sadaf@mwo-orlando.org for details.

• SPREAD THE WORD: Share our campaign with your family and friends.

*MWO is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization.  All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. All non-zakat donations received after Eid ul-Fitr will be applied to MWO’s Annual Fund for general organizational expenses unless specific intentions are specified via email to info@mwo-orlando.org.

For more information please contact info@mwo-orlando.org
For general questions about MWO Programs, call 407-821-0770