Day of Giving Fundraiser for Refugee Families in Fort Worth

Hello! Thank you for joining us in our quest to provide culturally sensitive groceries and clothing to newly settled refugee families. We are so blessed to have a vast variety of peoples from all over the world seeking safety and prosperity here in Fort Worth. Coming to a new country without knowledge of the language, culture, or resources can be terrifying. A lot of folks end up in situations that seem easy to us but are so much more difficult to navigate when you can’t ask for help, don’t know anyone to ask, or lack transportation, funds, or other means. A task as simple as going to the store to get groceries or buying a new dress for a religious holiday can become impossible and frustrating.

For this month, considering that so many religious and cultural traditions are overlapping, we have decided to host a Day of Giving (date tentatively set for April 29th)! We will be providing groceries that are not readily available in this area but are staples in homes overseas. The lists below are suggestions for needed items – specifically those that are not readily available at institutions like Tarrant Area Food Bank, Catholic Charities, etc. that are tirelessly supporting these communities. If you have another suggestion, please feel free to reach out! We want to give them items that remind them of home. We are also collecting clothing donations of gently used or new clothing for people of all ages and sizes. We are specifically requesting modest and cultural clothing/celebratory clothing because everyone deserves to dress up and celebrate on the holidays.

Some of the most prevalent cultures found in our local refugee community are:
Afghan
Syrian
Rwandan
Burmese
Somalian

In our grocery list, you will find items that are specifically used in the cooking of the cultures listed above, but are not readily available through food assistance programs. We are mostly focused on non-perishables or items that have a long shelf life. If you have another suggestion, feel free to email stephanieelbanna@my.unthsc.edu and we’ll add your item to the list!

If you are a student at UNTHSC, purchase of $15 worth of groceries is equivalent to one service/TOUCH hour with proof of purchase.
A lot of these items can be found online via Amazon, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, etc. and others may require a trip to one of our local cultural stores. Reach out at the email above for more info.

Please drop off donations in the labeled boxes in MET Lobby starting Wednesday, April 12th at 12PM and continuing until Wednesday, April 26th at 5PM.

If you would like to contribute monetarily, you can venmo @ranhab or zelle (682) 564-2576 (not the same last 4 digits as the venmo acct).

Please follow this link for the grocery/clothing list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/191EJPW5FTO9FSga04y3Mk063am8V7s7wFgkOeUA2_nw/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you for your time and for any contribution you can make to our Day of Giving!