As Ramadan approaches, a campaign is once again asking Kingston residents to turn empathy into action.
Give 30, a national volunteer-run initiative supporting local food banks during the Muslim month of fasting, launches Feb. 11 and runs until April 30, extending beyond Ramadan, which takes place from Feb. 18 to April 30. This year marks the 13th year Kingston has participated, raising funds for Partners in Mission Food Bank.
The campaign began in 2012 when founder Ziyaad Mia realized the money saved during Ramadan from small daily purchases could be redirected to charity. “He actually took that to heart,” said Mona Rahman, research awards officer at Queen’s and coordinator of Give 30 Kingston, in an interview with The Journal.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Rahman explained that fasting can cultivate empathy for those experiencing hunger year-round. “We want that empathy to turn into action.”
Kingston joined the Give 30 initiative in 2014 after Rahman heard about it on CBC Radio, where a friend was speaking about organizing the campaign in Winnipeg. Around the same time, members of Kingston’s Muslim community had expressed interest in bringing the initiative locally. Since then, the local campaign has partnered with Partners in Mission Food Bank.
According to a Feb. 3 press release from Give 30 Kingston, one in 17 people in Kingston relied on a food hamper from Partners in Mission Food Bank in 2025. Last year, Kingston City Council declared food insecurity an emergency.
“If we’re at that stage, then we really need to start thinking about who’s not going to school with breakfast,” Rahman said.
In 2025, Give 30 Kingston raised the equivalent of over $37,000 in funds and food donations, up from $29,000 the previous year. This year, organizers are aiming for $30,000.
While the campaign encourages food drives, Rahman noted monetary donations are often most effective “because they [residents accessing food bank] know what they need, they can get stuff at a lower price. And so, it’s sort of more bang for your buck.”
Community groups, schools, businesses, and individuals are invited to participate creatively. Last year, Dingaling’s Chicken Wings donated a dollar for every drink sold, and several Kingston schools organized food drives.
Rahman emphasized the campaign isn’t limited to Muslim donors.
“We want the entire community to participate,” she said. “This isn’t something that is specific to any particular group. It affects everybody.”
She also encouraged donors to think carefully about what they give.
“Feed your neighbor from your table,” Rahman said. “Whatever you would eat at home, grab something extra and put that in.”
Partners in Mission recently moved into a larger facility that allows clients to select their own food items rather than receiving a pre-packed hamper. The space includes designated halal, gluten-free, and kosher sections, giving more choices and cultural consideration. “It’s trying to bring back dignity to the individual,” Rahman said.
For Rahman, the message is simple. “We should look after our family, our friends, our neighbours first because they’re the closest to us.”
Tags
Give 30, Give 30 campaign, Partners in Mission Food Bank, ramadan
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