To the Editor,

I am a counselor in a middle school in Danbury where I coordinate a small food pantry that provides weekly “Friday Food” for approximately 30 students at risk of hunger over the weekends and to other students and families on an as needed basis.

I wanted to share a truly incredible kindness from the Newtown based Al-Hedaya Islamic Center Youth Group.

This group has provided fresh food and generous gift cards for families to purchase a turkey or other protein of their choosing to our most in need families for the past two years for the Thanksgiving holiday. Never have I worked with a group who gives to others with such grace.

They thanked me multiple times for the opportunity to help and then asked me if they could possibly donate at other times of the year.

Today, Mrs Hend Elisantaricy, one of the leaders of the youth group, delivered an enormous bounty of fresh fruit, beans, rice, cereals, box mixes, pancake mixes, and other items that we requested for our pantry.

As my leadership students were unloading her van, she commented that her youth group had loaded it the night before. It was truly a gift from students to students.

In a few moments, my “shoppers” will be coming to pick out their groceries for this weekend and I will have the pleasure of seeing how happy and relieved they will be to have such a beautiful selection of food. I am so grateful to the Al-Hedaya Islamic Center and, as a resident of Newtown, am so proud that they are part of our community.

Respectfully,

Christine Miller

Sandy Hook