DEARBORN— The Lebanese American Heritage Club Young Leaders Committee (LAHC-YLC) is giving back to the needy this Ramadan through its campaign, “We The People, Feed The People.” 

Members of the Lebanese American Heritage Club Young Leaders Committee. Eight members of the group were honored by U.S. President Barack Obama with the Call to Service Award. The group is eager to give back to the community this Ramadan through its, “We The People, Feed The People” campaign.

The group is collecting cash and canned goods on behalf of two charities, the Salvation Army and Zaman International.  All proceeds and donated items will go directly to the charities. 

Currently the LAHC-YLC has 25 donation food boxes stationed at 25 businesses in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.  

Every Friday during Ramadan, LAHC-YLC members will visit local mosques to collect food and monetary donations during prayer time from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Islamic Center of America and Islamic Institute of Knowledge here, in addition to the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights. 

Near the end of Ramadan the group also plans on hosting a dinner for Detroit’s homeless community at a mosque in Detroit. The LAHC was established in 1982, but the YLC recently launched, and celebrated its first anniversary this Summer. While the group is relatively new to the community, it has already accomplished a lot. 

When the 2011 Somalia crisis occurred the group immediately started a canned food drive. Almost 20 boxes of canned food was collected and shipped to Somalia by the Salvation Army. The group also collected monetary donations for people in Somalia, which were matched by Zaman International. There are currently 30 young people participating in the group’s efforts this Ramadan. 

Eight members of the group received the prestigious Call to Service Award from U.S. President Barack Obama. The recognition speaks volumes about the group’s volunteering services. Hussein Hachem, 24, a student at Wayne State University, is the president of the LHAC-YLC, and one of the recipients of the  award.  “We feel it’s our duty to give back to the community,” Hachem said. Food donation drop box locations in Dearborn include Salam Meat Market, Rizk Meat Market, Super Greenland Market, Harb Imports, Dollar Kingdom, Dollar Tree (Miller and Warren) and Al Zahraa Meat Market. Dearborn Heights food drop box locations include Al Basha Subs, Heights Market, Arabian Market Dearborn Roastery, Saj Bakery and Idesign Printing and Graphics. 

To get a food donation box stationed at your business contact Hussein M. Hachem at hhachem@lahc.org. To learn how to get involved in the “We The People, Feed The People” campaign call 313-258-6799 or info@lahc.org for more information.