JENNINGS, Mo. — A group of St. Louisans spent their Christmas Day giving back. The event was a partnership between the Muslim Day of Service and Project Downtown St. Louis.
Volunteer Saba Nisar said it was important to show people they are loved on the holiday.
"The simple thing of providing somebody a warm meal on a day that's normally filled with joy and happiness, if this can have a positive outreach, just one person, it can make a difference," she said.
On a rainy Christmas Day inside West Florissant Masjid in Jennings, cookies were spread across the table and pies were baking in the oven.
Organizer Dr. Sana Habib said the Muslim community in St. Louis has participated for the last five years in a day of service.
"There's been a lot of sadness going around in the world right now, and we wanted to give back in a way and bring some joy to the people of the local St. Louis community," she said.
And what better way to spread joy than through a hot meal?
Ahmid Rehmani is one of many who volunteers with Project Downtown St. Louis.
"Project Downtown started here in St. Louis in 2013, and it started with a weekly service that we would do where we would package and hand out over 100 meals every week," he said.
Rehmani said the organization usually hands out food on Saturdays.
Nisar said this was the first time the two groups partnered together to hand deliver food to homeless shelters on the holiday as the need across the city only continues to grow.
"A lot of people sometimes can't afford the basic necessities, and if something small like this can comfort somebody for a day and bring some happiness, I think that has a great effect," she said.
An effect that not only impacts those receiving the food, but according to Rehmani, it also impacts those giving it.
"To get together with friends and family and make something out of the day, it's a great experience," he said.
Between the gloves, the hats and the biscuits, Habib said everyone packing the meals hopes this is just the beginning of helping their beloved city.
"The Muslims in the community do care. We want to help out the St. Louis community and uplift everyone," she said.
Everything they gave out on Christmas Day was donated by the St. Louis community.
Habib said the St. Louis Muslim community plans to do future events on a bigger scale next year.