Where some people might only see a heap of stew meat, others see a unique form of charity. As part of the Islamic festival of Eid-Ul-Adha or “Bayram,” which occurred from Oct.
15 to 18, representatives from local nonprofit Peace Islands Institute, accompanied by local legislators, did a mini-tour of five North Jersey food banks, donating more than 100 pounds of fresh meat at each stop. The last stop on the tour was Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 73 South Fullerton Ave. The festival of Bayram, also known as the feast of sacrifice, is an important Islamic holiday when celebrants sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Forefather Abraham.
An important aspect of the holiday is the subsequent donation of the meat. “Two-thirds of the animal has to be donated without looking at religion, race or color,” explained Ercan Tozan, executive director of Peace Islands Institute. Representatives from the nonprofit were accompanied by Montclair’s two representatives in the New Jersey Assembly, Thomas P. Giblin and Sheila Y. Oliver. Also in attendance were the Rev. John A. Mennell of St. Luke’s and Anne Mernin, director of Toni’s Kitchen. Giblin said that he was optimistic that the food donation would help to inspire people and spread a message of acceptance. His colleague Oliver agreed. “This is part of Toni’s Kitchen’s creed regarding donating to the community, regardless of religion. It’s kind of practicing what they preach,” Oliver said. “There continues to be hunger in New Jersey. And one of the hardest things to get at a food pantry is meat.” Mernin said that some of the donated meat will be combined with various vegetables to make stew. “We have some amazing, creative cooks,” she said proudly. All of the meat will ultimately go to the 60 to 90 people who Toni’s Kitchen serves every day. “They’re the working poor,” said Mernin, when asked to describe her typical clients. “They come from all faiths and all walks of life. It’s almost like the room itself is one big stew at times.” Mennell said that even though the food ministry is located in a Christian house of worship, it has some Muslim clients as well.
“We have volunteers from all faiths and backgrounds, atheists, agnostics, Christians, Jews … we’re all called upon to serve and love our fellow humanity.” Representatives from the nonprofit were accompanied by Montclair’s two representatives in the New Jersey Assembly, Thomas P. Giblin and Sheila Y. Oliver. Also in attendance were the Rev. John A. Mennell of St. Luke’s and Anne Mernin, director of Toni’s Kitchen. Giblin said that he was optimistic that the food donation would help to inspire people and spread a message of acceptance. His colleague Oliver agreed.
“This is part of Toni’s Kitchen’s creed regarding donating to the community, regardless of religion. It’s kind of practicing what they preach,” Oliver said. “There continues to be hunger in New Jersey. And one of the hardest things to get at a food pantry is meat.” Mernin said that some of the donated meat will be combined with various vegetables to make stew. “We have some amazing, creative cooks,” she said proudly. All of the meat will ultimately go to the 60 to 90 people who Toni’s Kitchen serves every day. “They’re the working poor,” said Mernin, when asked to describe her typical clients. “They come from all faiths and all walks of life. It’s almost like the room itself is one big stew at times.” Mennell said that even though the food ministry is located in a Christian house of worship, it has some Muslim clients as well. “We have volunteers from all faiths and backgrounds, atheists, agnostics, Christians, Jews … we’re all called upon to serve and love our fellow humanity.”
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