Generous Eid food donation to mark the end of Ramadan feeds nearly 30 homeless people in Portsmouth

Kind-hearted Shipa Ahmed Khan and Fahad Lasker wanted to mark the end of Ramadan by cooking up some traditional food and sharing it with people in need in Portsmouth.

The pair prepared plenty of biryani, samosas and sweet dishes to deliver to Helping Hands Portsmouth’s outreach evening, feeding nearly 30 homeless people from across the city.

Landport resident Shipa, who is member of the Bangladeshi Muslim community, said: ‘They’re still out there, they still need help and feeding especially in this heat. It was a way of celebrating with our neighbours.

‘It was really lovely to have some nice conversations with everyone who was there, it was very nice to connect with the community.’

One of the main pillars of Islam is giving to charity, so Shipa and Fahad wanted to give back to mark the end of the annual month of fasting, which has been very different this year.

Shipa said: ‘We’re all in this together. It has been a very different Eid to what has been expected before, we haven’t been able to see family and friends which is a big part of it.

‘It’s been very different but also in a good way because people have had more time to focus on Ramadan.

‘Normally, we’re still working so you’re preoccupied with getting on with life, whereas this year it has been a much more spiritual time for families praying together.’

Shipa volunteers for the Portsmouth Bangladesh Business Association, which will be donating some money to Helping Hands to fund meals and support for the homeless community.

Bev Saunders, who founded Helping Hands four years ago, said: ‘We fed about 27 people, they really loved the food. If somebody cooks for us, it’s amazing.

‘We couldn’t do what we do without people like them, we rely on community spirit. We’re very lucky that we do have a good community.’

For more information about the outreach work of Helping Hands, visit hhportsmouth.com

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