Why is it important to have a Food Bank in Australia?
Sadly, there are a number of Muslims with a shortage of food in Australia. Many of these Muslims regularly seek assistance in searching for food from various groups and organisations in the community. These individuals and families are from many different countries, the majority being former refugees. They have trouble accessing enough government assistance, and feel isolated from others in the Muslim community.
We have encountered a few of these indivuals over the 8 years of running the Ansaar Project's "Feeding the Homeless" program. However, we have realised there are many more whom are reluctant to approach us and other organisations. Local organisations we have partnered with in our feeding the homeless programs and blanket drives, have reported regular visits by Muslims. These organisations have remarked that the Muslims have requested halal food for themselves and their families.
The Halal Food Bank will help to improve the wellbeing of these indiviuals and their families. You can help make this possible by participating in this food drive and donating to the Halal Food Bank.
A portion of the donated food in Sydney is also used to supply our monthly feeding the homeless project in the city.
The Halal Food Bank is asking Muslim Australians to share the bounties and earn frequent spiritual rewards!
Everyone in Sydney and Melbourne is encouraged to participate in donating even just a can of non-perishable food item, once a week. If you are really keen, speak to us and we will provide you with guidelines for preparing a full box of food items suitable for a family of 2-4.
What can be donated?
At this stage only Non- Perishable, halal food can be accepted. Examples of food we can accept are shown in the food pack label below.
What can't be accepted?
At this stage, we can NOT accept the following:
- Fresh food
- Refrigerated and frozen food
- Home prepared food
- Out of date food
- Bakery items
- Seafood
- fresh or Frozen meat
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Fresh dairy products
Where to donate?
In Sydney
Donations of non-perishable, halal food can be dropped off in Sydney at:
- SeekersHub of Al-Ghazzali Centre- 1021A Canterbury Rd (cnr Willeroo St) Lakemba, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Fridays from 10:00am to 10:00pm, and all Al-Ghazzali Centre functions.
- Dural Musallah- 937 Old Northern Road, Dural. Next to the Caltex and in-front of Aus-Post & IGA.
- All Things Islam Bookstore- at Daar Ibn Abbas, 17 Cross St Bankstown, 7 days from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
- Auburn Mosque Women's group- at 21A Gelibolu Pde, Auburn.
In Melbourne
- Ummah, Doncaster Mosque- Monday nights – 72 George St, Doncaster East 3109
- Virgin Mary Mosque- 143 Hogans Rd Hoppers Crossing 3029
- IBC Bookshops- Dandenong- 122 Cheltenham Road, Dandenong 3175
- IBC Bookshops- Coburg- 207 Sydney Road, Coburg 3058
- Sunday Madrasah- Rowville Secondary(eastern campus) Humphrey’s way/Turramurra Drive, Rowville, 3178
- Heidelberg Mall- Bell St/Oriel Rd, West Heidelberg 3081
- Footscray Butchers- 174 Nicholson Street, Footscray 3011
Please if the centre is closed when you arrive.
Important Note Regarding Zakat ul-Fitr:
Funds donated to the halal food bank can NOT be accepted as Zakat al-Fitr. We can however, accept Zakat ul-Mal, to be distributed to those eligible for receiving it.
The Halal Food Bank also requires cash to run, being used to source packaging materials in these early stages.
All donations can be made to Al-Ghazzali centre bank account with the following details:
- Bank: Westpac
- Account Name: Al-Ghazzali Centre
- BSB: 032024
- Acc: 401251
- Use the reference "AP Donation".
Other payment options will be available shortly.
8th January, 2012
Melbourne Halal Food Bank - New drop off location
The Melbourne Food Bank is calling for volunteers for packing food items on 21st January.
to register as a volunteer.
8th January, 2012
Sydney Halal Food Bank - Next packing day
The Sydney Food Bank is calling for volunteers for packing food items on 22nd January.
to register as a volunteer.
4th January, 2012
Sydney Halal Food Bank - New drop off locations
We now have two new locations for dropping off donations in Sydney. They are at the two All Things Islam bookstores in Baulkham Hills, and Bankstown. Drop offs can be made during business hours.
14th December, 2011
Sydney Halal Food Bank - New drop off location
We now have a new location for dropping off donations in the Northern suburbs. It is located at Dural Musallah, on 937 Old Northern Road Dural, next to the Caltex and in-front of Aus-Post & IGA.
10th December, 2011
Melbourne Halal Food Bank - Volunteer for Packing
Al-Ghazzali Centre's Ansaar Project is calling for voluteers for packing food items.
to register as a volunteer.
12th November, 2011
Melbourne Halal Food Bank - Packing Day
Al-Ghazzali Centre's Ansaar Project successfully held a day for voluteers to pack food items.
3rd October, 2011
Halal Food Bank launched in Melbourne
Al-Ghazzali Centre's Ansaar Project is opening in Melbourne this October. Click on the link for details of drop off points and what to donate, or .
22nd September, 2011
Halal Food Bank supports Anti-Poverty Week
Al-Ghazzali Centre's Ansaar Project is proud to be a participating partner of Anti-Poverty Week for 2011. With this important week less than a month away, it's time to turn things up a bit.
We are setting a target of 1000 items for collection. Items will then be put into boxes which are made up to provide food for 1-2 people for approximately one week. We hope to reach this target by 22nd of October! If you cannot donate food, please donate financially.
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14th September, 2011
The Yes We Can! Campaign featured in an article in the Wentowrth Courier titled "Nothing Like a Can-Do Attitude":
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12th September, 2011
The Yes We Can! Campaign featured in an article on HalalFocus.net, taken from J-Wire:
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11th September, 2011
YES WE CAN!
During September, the Ansaar Project's Halal Food Bank in Sydney is partnering with Jewish House and Exodus foundation for the "Yes We Can!" campaign, for the collection of non-perishable goods to assist homeless people in need that are unable to afford food or not in the position to feed themselves fully. The Yes We Can campaign will be running inside 21 Coles stores throughout Metro NSW.
Volunteers are required between 9am and 5pm, Sunday to Friday on 2 hour rosters until the end of this month. Each volunteer will be placed at a local western Sydney Coles store, and will be approaching shoppers to inform them of the campaign. A volunteer orientation session will be held this Tuesday, 13th September at Al-Ghazzali Centre in Lakemba, commencing at 7.30pm. Please to confirm your attendance and availability. If you missed the orientation day, you can still contact us to volunteer.
28th August, 2011
Our second packing day, where another 10 volunteers packed a further 31 food packs. These will be mainly delivered to the Auburn centre as we build up a regular supply. Stocks are low, so please keep your donations of food and funds coming through.
26th August, 2011
Our first distribution to organisation in Auburn which family crisis & support services. Most of the packs were sent to families who were about to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the month of fasting. Packs were also distributed to non-Muslim families who are also supported thorugh the halal food bank.
21st August, 2011
Our first packing day commenced with 11 Ansaar Project volunteers showing up to assist. Using a portion of the 1200 donated items, they packed 30 food packs in just over an hour!
