Our partner, ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America), highlights the importance of offering culturally appropriate foods and emphasizes the role nutrition plays in overall well-being.
In neighborhoods across metro Atlanta, ICNA Relief Georgia plays a quiet but powerful role in strengthening families who are working to rebuild their lives. Their mission extends far beyond food distribution – it is about dignity, cultural respect, and ensuring that every family, including newly resettled refugees, has the support they need to thrive.
At the heart of their work is a commitment to fighting hunger in ways that honor culture and tradition. Through the Hunger Prevention Program, families receive staples that feel like home: lentils, rice, chickpeas, bread, fresh produce, and USDA-approved, halal-certified meats. These items reflect the five main food groups, helping families maintain healthy and familiar diets while adjusting to life in a new country.
“Food is more than nourishment; it’s identity and belonging,” the team shared. Offering culturally appropriate items gives families comfort and dignity in a time of transition. For many, especially those arriving after displacement, it’s one meaningful worry lifted from their shoulders.
The need, however, is growing. With recent federal policy changes – particularly the removal of SNAP benefits for thousands of refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees – ICNA Relief anticipates a rise in families turning to community support. They are preparing to expand their outreach and mobile distributions to meet the increased demand, while calling on the broader community to help fill the gap.
Their impact is already evident in countless stories. One Afghan family arrived in Georgia exhausted and overwhelmed, but the moment they saw halal staples on the pantry shelves, they felt a sense of home and hope. Another example comes from the Burmese community: a single mother, one of the only drivers in her circle, routinely brings several other women to the pantry so they can have food ready when their children return from school. These moments reflect the ripple effect of community care.
ICNA Relief’s commitment to well-being goes beyond food. Through its Health Services Program, the organization leads health fairs across Georgia that provide screenings for blood pressure, A1C, cholesterol, and cancer awareness. Under the leadership of Program Manager Shomaila Khan, these efforts are expanding into the pantry network itself – combining food assistance with diabetes prevention education, healthier food options, and on-site health screenings.
This collaboration between Health Services, Refugee Services, and Hunger Prevention brings a holistic model to the community: one that meets immediate needs while empowering families to build healthier, more stable futures.
ICNA Relief’s message is simple and powerful: no neighbor should go hungry, and no one should lose their sense of home while working to rebuild their life. As federal SNAP changes take effect, community support is more important than ever. We encourage everyone to stand with the organizations on the frontlines of this work — ICNA Relief, New American Pathways, and the many partners working every day to ensure refugee and immigrant families have access to food, stability, and dignity.