A pair of groups in McKinney are looking to make sure the fruits of their new relationship result in fewer Collin County residents experiencing hunger during the winter months.
The Dawoodi Bohra community of Collin County, whose members are part of a denomination of Islam with a large number of followers in India, partnered with the Little Free Pantry of McKinney on United Nations World Food Day earlier this month, conducting a pantry collection and donating food items and toiletries.
‘Our new partnership with the Dawoodi Bohras of Collin County has been one of friendship, warmth, giving and grace,’ Kim Sanchez, founder of Little Free Pantry McKinney, said in a news release. ‘Their generosity has been overwhelming and their compassion has been heartwarming, especially during these challenging times. We are lucky to have them in our community.’
‘The Dawoodi Bohras have always believed that nobody should go to bed hungry, and that is why we are supporting Little Free Pantry McKinney and working toward a long term partnership with them — and Kim has been so supportive of us,’ Dawoodi Bohras of Collin County spokesperson Sakina Ismail bhai said in a news release. ‘Currently, we have a community kitchen where members of the community receive fresh, home-cooked meals on a regular basis.’
In addition to the food event, the Dawoodi Bohra community also set up a pair of flu vaccine clinics with vaccines distributed by its medical committee, which includes surgeons, specialists and other medical professionals. It hopes the free vaccine clinic will become an annual event.
‘This year, Governor Abbott in his public service announcement urged all Texans to get their flu shots to reduce the chances of contracting and spreading the flu. The Collin County Medical Committee of The Dawoodi Bohras felt that now, more than ever, especially with the pandemic, that we wanted to do a community outreach event to encourage and provide flu shots to those in need — to those who otherwise may not have gotten one,’ community spokesperson Rashida Rasheed said in a statement.
According to the group, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Collin County is made up of about 75 families, most of whom come from India. They are currently in the process of building a masjid, or mosque, at 1410 S. Tennessee St. It is scheduled to be completed next year.
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