The Benedict Avenue Community Food Pantry, (BACFP) is located at 2044 Benedict Avenue in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. BACFP began formal operations in the Spring 2001. A partnership between the African Islamic Center and the Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development, BACFP is premised in the Islamic faith tradition, with the foods and products served being halal –compliant with Islamic dietary laws. In the 2005 – 2006 fiscal year $85,000 worth of food was distributed by BACFP.

BACFP serves approximately 3,000 – 3,500 individuals per month. As part of the New York State Emergency Food and Hunger Relief Network, BACFP is a member agency of the Food Bank for NYC, City Harvest and NYC Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The annual budget of BACFP is roughly $55,000 with 45,000 going to salaries and stipends. The remainder is used to purchase additional halal (primarily meat products) food items. Occasionally we receive sizable donations of food items from local merchants and food importers some of whom are Muslim.

The services at BACFP have evolved to include public benefits outreach, fitness and nutrition, cross-cultural nutritional training and public health education and awareness. These additional services are done in collaboration with other agencies and organizations.

Food Panty Hours

Tues : 8pm - 11am
Thur : 3pm - 6pm
Fri : 2pm - 4pm

The Institute's newest pantry, The Community Food Pantry at Highbridge (CFPH), is located at 1362 Merriam Avenue, in the Highbridge section of the Bronx. The pantry space is generously donated by Highbridge Voices, Inc a cultural enrichment and supplementary education program that promotes academic excellence through the mastery of the performing arts. As a part of the same network of food security advocates as the Benedict Avenue Food Pantry, CFPH joins enthusiastically in the fight to alleviate hunger in New York City. The pantry has already begun to incorporate other programs such as a Physical Fitness Challenge: A Family Exercise Program that will be held every Saturday for 12 weeks starting March, 31, 2007.

Pantry Hours

Tuesdays: 8 am - 10 am
Wednesdays: 5 pm - 7 pm
Thursdays: 2 pm - 4 pm

The Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development (MWIRD) would like to announce the launch of a new health related program. In collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), MWIRD will be a host site for Connecting Children and Adults with Free and Low Cost Health Insurance. DOHMH facilitated enrollers will schedule appointments to prescreen individuals interested in obtaining free or low cost health insurance for themselves and theirs families. The facilitated enrollers will work one on one to find the type of insurance that is right for the individual and their family. The facilitated enrollers will also assist participants in locating doctors and medical centers within their community that are easily accessible.

If you or anyone in your family/community is interested in applying for free or low cost health insurance contact MWIRD’s administrative office at 718-960-2262 to schedule an appointment with a DOHMH facilitated enroller.

The main objective of MWIRD is to empower its clients to met their basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and security. To this end we have established the Immigrant Women’s Health Project. The Immigrant Women’s Health Project is funded in part by the New York Women’s Foundation, New York Community Trust, and Citizen’s for NYC.

MWIRD offers two health projects which are in partnership with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – Office of Minority Health; The Latino Commission on Aids – Latino Religious Leadership Project; and New York University Hospital – Immigrant Health Project.

Since September 11th, 2001 the demand for services provided by the Institute has grown beyond our capacity. We at MWIRD view this expansion as being directly related to the poor performance of the economy and further indication of the economic fragility of immigrant women and girls and their families.

We invite you to contact the Immigrant Women’s Health Project coordinator to discuss your healthcare needs and to explore your eligibility for public benefits.

MWIRD’s youth program works in collaboration with Citizen for NYC’s Young Citizens Center and Manhattan Bridges High School. Our service-learning program aims to bridge the gap between education in schools and the reality of our community. Therefore, our program provides many opportunities for community involvement and experience.

First, the students regularly volunteer at the Benedict Avenue Community Food Pantry. While serving those in need, the students have opportunities to reflect on their role in communities and discuss what could be done to eliminate hunger issues. The students help pack bags, distribute food among guests, and discusses issues that affect the Parkchester community in the Bronx. In addition, students participate in MWIRD’s minority and immigrant health initiatives. This year, the students designed their own public service program—designing outreach materials and performances that discussed teen health issues in the Latina community. Lastly, our program aims to create a dialogue of interfaith and multicultural issues. Discussions of Islam and Muslims in the New York City community seek to further understanding between ethnicities, experiences, and backgrounds. Students work with the Auburn Theological Seminary’s Face to Face/Faith to Faith youth program that brings high school students from areas of conflict together—namely, South Africa, Palestine, Israel, Northern Ireland and the Bronx—to promote openness and understanding of oneself in relation to those who have experienced similar struggles.

MWIRD also plays an instrumental role in leadership development and college preparation. Students partnered with the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and planned and entire youth conference on HIV/AAids, relationships and teen issues called “It’s goin’ down”. Additionally, we work with students—whose second language is English—to develop communication and writing skills for their future. Using the experiences of their direct service, we facilitate essay writing and discussions to promote confidence as English speakers. MWIRD is a facilitator in applying for various college scholarship opportunities and internships, hoping to prepare the students for life beyond our service-learning program.

Are you a West African Immigrant Woman?

Are you interested in the health care issues
of your community?

Metro cards and free refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested or would like more information,
please call Fatimatou Bah at (718) 960-2262