The youth group from the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester capped a month-long canned food drive Saturday by delivering almost 300 pounds of food to the FreeStore/Foodbank in Over-the-Rhine.

        Several youngsters also spent the day helping the agency accept other goods, clean a warehouse and sort through garbage bags of donated toys.

        They also planned to deliver goods to four Muslim refugee families — including one from Afghanistan — who are now living under one roof in Winton Terrace. Today, Greater Cincinnati's Muslim families will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

        “I wanted to do this. This is something ... for the whole community,” said Hinna Ahmad, 15, of Evendale. She liked the idea of possibly helping Muslims plus Jews, who now are observing Hanukkah, and Christians, who are preparing for Christmas.

        Shareef Dabdoub, 19, of Montgomery, is the group's oldest member. He recently finished exams at the University of Cincinnati but didn't mind the volunteer work.

        “It's been pretty cool,” he said. “Muslims are supposed to be generous and giving, especially during the month of Ramadan. This is part of our religion.”
       

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