Bonny Downs Community Association is delighted to announce a generous partnership with Tahira Foods Ltd., a leading producer and distributor of halal foods in Europe. This collaboration ensures that BDCA’s foodbank can provide nutritious and culturally appropriate food options, including meat, to all individuals in need, particularly those requiring halal products.

For over 25 years, BDCA has served the diverse community of Newham, offering services such as youth support, elderly assistance, sports and wellbeing programs, and children and family services. A core focus is food security, with a vital foodbank operating from the WELLcome Hub in East Ham. In recent years, BDCA has seen a growing number of Muslim families relying on halal food options, with over 15% of foodbank visitors identifying as Muslim.

Historically, sourcing halal meat has been challenging. However, upon reaching out to Tahira Foods, BDCA received a positive response within just 15 minutes. Tahira Foods has committed to supplying regular deliveries of halal products throughout this Ramadan, ensuring that all community members have access to essential supplies, including meat, fish, dried fruit, and dates.

This partnership aligns with the spirit of Ramadan, a month when Muslims worldwide increase charitable giving. In the UK, British Muslims are among the most generous groups, donating more than four times as much money to charity each year as the average Brit. A 2024 report by consultancy Blue State found that British Muslims gave £708 each on average over 12 months, compared to £165 for the wider UK population. Additionally, British Muslims donate approximately £1.79 billion annually to charitable causes, including zakat (almsgiving), which is a mandatory form of charity in Islam.

Rana Allawi, General Manager at Tahira Foods, said: “Tahira Foods has proudly been serving the retail shops, large and small, of Newham for several years. When Bonny Downs Community Association reached out to us, they highlighted the critical needs of the borough and in particular the fact that they were having difficulties in sourcing halal products to meet the dietary requirements of their Muslim visitors. The fact that Bonny Downs Community Association was so open in sharing their struggles and that they were so considerate and sensitive to the needs of their local Muslim community was very touching and warranted an instant reaction. We have had the pleasure and privilege of successfully serving the Muslim community throughout the UK for over thirty years. As a business, we have a social and ethical responsibility to give back and support initiatives where we can immediately make a difference.”

BDCA is thrilled that Tahira Foods has chosen to support our foodbank, exemplifying the generosity characteristic of the Muslim community during Ramadan. We hope to develop our relationship further, inspiring other businesses to contribute to causes aligned with their values, fostering a culture of community support and collaboration.

Bonny Downs Community Association extends heartfelt thanks to Tahira Foods Ltd. for their generosity, exemplifying the power of community and collaboration in supporting those in need.

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