Montgomery Serves Awards 2021

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Volunteer Group of the Year 

Recognizing outstanding service by a group or team of two or more people who volunteered together in 2020 

Montgomery County Muslim Foundation

The Montgomery County Muslim Foundation’s vision—to create a hunger-free and hate-free society—and its mission—to undertake initiatives and programs to feed the hungry and homeless, help the needy among us to live a better life, take care of the needs of senior citizens and youth, and interact with other communities and faiths to promote a congenial living environment for all—were put to the test in 2020. 

Since its founding in 2008, the organization has been feeding the hungry and homeless, distributing clothing to needy residents, offering assistance to refugees, supporting women’s empowerment, and sponsoring programs for youth and seniors.  

As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic changed life, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation—powered by more than 400 volunteers—intensified its efforts and adopted new and innovative ways to assist neighbors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shutdown.  

Programs for seniors and youth were maintained virtually, and their scope expanded with an increase in demand. Participation in senior exercise classes—and the frequency of classes—increased. In the organization's youth program, coding classes, SAT classes, college admissions sessions, and public speaking workshops were held virtually, also with increased participation. The Women’s Empowerment Program for refugee families continued to impart skills, including mask making! Participants stitched more than 1,000 masks, which were donated to hospitals and nursing homes. 

During 2020, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation’s food pantry distributed 136,890 pounds of nonperishable food, including fresh products and poultry to approximately 8,000 individuals and families. Through the group's meat distribution program, 5,750 pounds of meat were distributed to low-income families in collaboration with local churches and other nonprofit organizations.  MCMF also served 1,855 freshly cooked meals to the residents of the Interfaith Works women’s shelters. In addition, 315 meals were distributed in collaboration with the City of Gaithersburg.  

During First Responders’ Appreciation Week, 200 meals were sent to hospitals, fire and rescue stations, and police departments. MCMF also held its own Health Care Worker Appreciation Week, preparing sandwiches for medical staff at Holy Cross and Adventist Hospitals. The group's Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts programs distributed 350 food boxes with turkey and toys to low-income families.  

Not content with the status quo, MCMF launched three new programs in 2020: the Montgomery County Public Schools Food Assistance Program, which provided 58,500 pounds of nonperishable food products for families; the African American Equity Fund, which raised over $48,000 for scholarships and vocational training: and a general scholarship program for low-income high school students, which was established with a fund of $25,000. 

Volunteers from the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation have engaged with the community and established trust and understanding across lines of difference, serving neighbors in need regardless of faith, race, or gender. They are instrumental in helping us build a vibrant multicultural Montgomery County.