A Gift from the Turkish Cultural Center

Left to Right: Mehmet Erdogdu, Executive Director of the Turkish Cultural Center of CT, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and Jim Palma, Foodshare.

Zakāt, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the charitable giving of a percentage of one’s possessions (surplus wealth, including food) to those in need. The Islamic community has a duty to not only collect zakat, but to distribute it equitably as well.

On Tuesday, the Turkish Cultural Center of Connecticut presented 200 pounds of specially prepared meats to Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, who in turn donated the meat to Foodshare for distribution. This is the second year the Turkish Cultural Center has made this donation in Hartford and the fifth year in New Haven.

Many thanks to the Turkish Cultural Center for thinking of our hungry neighbors during these difficult times!