January 2026 Impact Report
A Kitchen on Wheels: MSS to Launch New Program
MUNA Social Services is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its Mobile Community Kitchen, a new initiative made possible through a $150,000 grant from Assemblyman Erik M. Dilan.
Set to roll out in early 2026, the Mobile Community Kitchen will serve 600 hot, halal meals daily, six days a week. This food truck will operate in rotation across community centers, homeless shelters, and high-need neighborhoods, delivering freshly prepared meals directly to those facing food insecurity.
“This isn’t just a truck—it’s a promise that no one should go hungry,” said Dr. Jahangir Kabir, Director of Operations & Communication at MSS. “We’re grateful to Assemblyman Dilan for believing in this vision and investing in a model of food relief that’s mobile, consistent, and rooted in compassion.”
Meals will be thoughtfully prepared to meet both dietary and cultural needs, and offered free of charge. With this new program, MSS aims to meet people where they are—bringing nourishment, dignity, and connection to New Yorkers who need it most.
World Hijab Day Celebration 2026: This Tuesday!
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, MUNA Social Services will join the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau’s Immigrant Outreach Unit and a coalition of community-based organizations to host the World Hijab Day Celebration at the MUNA Center of New York (80-50 Pitkin Ave, Ozone Park, NY 11417).
Scheduled from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, the event aims to celebrate the dignity, strength, and personal choice represented by the hijab, while creating space for education, dialogue, and cultural appreciation.
With support from a wide range of organizations—including ARWA, Momtaaz Hijab, Women for Empowerment, COPO, PIN, NYC Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, and others—the program will feature guest speakers, resource tables, and refreshments for attendees. The event seeks to promote mutual respect and build bridges across communities by highlighting stories of Muslim women and their experiences with faith and identity.
MSS is proud to stand alongside its partners in promoting inclusion, understanding, and the empowerment of women in all walks of life.
CAIR-NY Joins MSS for MLK Day of Service
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of the CAIR-NY team joined MUNA Social Services at one of its busiest weekly pantry sites—Baitul Mamur Masjid in Brooklyn. This longstanding Wednesday pantry, serving over 700 families each week, became the setting for a special day of service rooted in community and compassion.
Volunteers from CAIR-NY stepped in to help pack and distribute food, engaging with local residents and supporting MSS’s efforts to combat food insecurity. The collaboration reflected the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy—bringing people together across backgrounds to serve those most in need.
“MLK Day reminds us that service is one of the highest forms of solidarity,” said Abul Kashem, Director of Warehouse Operations.
As food prices continue to stretch household budgets, MSS remains committed to partnerships like this one to ensure its pantry shelves stay full—and its communities fed.
Local Relief: Bringing Halal Food to Bronx Families
On Friday, January 9, MUNA Social Services (MSS) held a food distribution at Darou Rahmane Masjid, located at 677 Elton Avenue in the Bronx. Starting at 2:00 PM, families from the surrounding area gathered to receive bags of halal groceries, including canned goods, fresh produce, and pantry staples.
The event served as a vital resource for many Bronx households facing economic strain after the holiday season. With trusted partners like the NYC Mayor’s Office and the leadership of Darou Rahmane Masjid, MSS ensured that food was delivered with care, dignity, and cultural sensitivity.
As with all MSS distributions, the event was designed to be accessible, welcoming, and community-driven—with local volunteers playing an essential role in setup, registration, and distribution.
By continuing to bring food support directly into neighborhoods like the South Bronx, MSS reaffirms its mission of serving families where they are, when they need it most.
Halal Food Support in Astoria, Queens
On January 10, MUNA Social Services teamed up with Al-Ikhlas Mosque to host a food pantry event in the heart of Astoria, Queens. Starting at 10:00 AM, volunteers handed out essential halal groceries to dozens of families in need—ensuring local residents had access to nutritious, culturally familiar staples during the winter months.
In partnership with NYC agencies and local leaders, the pantry effort reflects MSS’s commitment to addressing food insecurity with dignity and care. Events like these are especially meaningful for immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like Astoria, where halal options and accessible resources are not always easy to come by.
MSS thanks the Office of the Mayor, NYPD, Al-Ikhlas Mosque, and local organizers for making the event possible—and looks forward to continuing this vital support in Western Queens.
Partnering for Impact: MSS Distributes Groceries at NYIC Event
On Friday, January 16, MUNA Social Services participated in the Key to the City: Community Resource Fair hosted by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) at Morningside Heights Library. The event brought together over ten community-based organizations and city agencies to connect local residents with critical services—ranging from public benefit enrollment and library programs to legal help and health access.
MSS contributed to the fair by providing attendees with bags of halal groceries, canned goods, and fresh produce—supporting families facing food insecurity as winter deepens. Hundreds of residents came through, many of whom left not only with resources, but with a better understanding of what’s available to them in their city.
MSS is proud to continue its partnership with NYIC, helping ensure essential aid reaches New Yorkers where and when they need it most.
Over 28,000 Individuals Receives Food Relief through NEFAP
As winter set in, MUNA Social Services’ Nourish Emergency Food Assistance Program (NEFAP) continued to meet the growing needs of families across New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. In January 2026 alone, the program distributed more than 400,000 pounds of food, reaching over 28,000 individuals through dozens of pantry sites.
Each distribution was packed with culturally familiar staples—rice, lentils, canned goods, halal meats, and produce—carefully selected to reflect the needs of the communities being served. Whether at a masjid in Brooklyn or a center in Wilmington, volunteers and staff ensured that every household received their food with respect and care.
One client, Shirin A., a mother of two from Brooklyn, shared,
“My SNAP got reduced this winter. Without the food from MSS, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done. It helped me feed my kids and gave me one less thing to worry about.”
These pantry events rely on a tight system of coordination—between warehouse prep teams, local partners, and dedicated volunteers—who come together each month to deliver relief where it’s needed most.
Abul Kashem, Director of Warehouse Operations at MSS, added,
“Behind every delivery is a team that moves quickly and works hard—because people are depending on us, and we take that seriously.”
As 2026 begins, NEFAP remains focused on expanding access and reaching more neighborhoods with steady, reliable food support.
Academic Momentum
January saw consistently high turnout across Aim High Academy’s programs in East New York and Jackson Heights. More than 50 students participated throughout the month, with several days—like January 9, 17, and 24—reaching over 45 students in attendance. Even in the thick of winter, students showed up ready to learn, a clear sign of how much families value the support the program provides.
Aim High offers homework help, mentorship, and test prep, led by academic mentors from New York City’s specialized high schools. Their experience and relatability help students build confidence and improve academically.
With numbers holding steady and demand growing, Aim High is gearing up to expand enrichment offerings in the coming months—keeping student success at the center of it all.
One Month, 345 Stories: CHC in Action
MUNA Social Services’ Community Help Center (CHC) continues to deliver vital, person-to-person support for immigrant families navigating city systems. In January 2026, CHC served a total of 345 clients across its four branches in East New York, Jackson Heights, Parkchester, and Kensington.
The most requested services last month included:
Bangladesh Consulate support (117 cases)
SNAP benefit applications and renewals (63 cases)
Health insurance enrollment assistance (42 cases)
Social Security and DMV appointment scheduling (30+ cases combined)
Passport applications and notary support (28 cases)
From new immigrants needing guidance on official documents to longtime residents struggling with food or healthcare access, CHC staff provided one-on-one support tailored to each situation.
“We don’t just hand out forms—we walk people through them, make the calls with them, and make sure they leave with next steps,” said Mohammed Rahman, Director of Community Help Center at MSS. “That’s what real support looks like.”
With client volume rising steadily month over month, MSS remains committed to strengthening and expanding its CHC presence, so no New Yorker falls through the cracks when it comes to essential services.
New Year, Familiar Faces: Senior Gatherings Grow
In January 2026, MUNA Social Services’ Senior Connection program continued its commitment to fostering community and connection among older adults in New York City. Across its two active sites in Kensington and East New York, the program welcomed more than 60 seniors for a series of social evenings, conversations, and resource support .
Each session provided attendees with a warm, welcoming environment to share stories, enjoy refreshments, and access helpful services like food bag distribution and resource referrals. In Kensington, seniors gathered weekly to reconnect with peers, while East New York events brought in a diverse group of participants seeking both companionship and support.
For many, the program has quickly become a routine part of their week.
“You start to look forward to seeing the same faces. It makes you feel like you belong again,” said Br. Manik, a Kensington resident.
As the program gains traction, MSS is preparing to expand activities and services throughout 2026—ensuring even more seniors across the city have a place to feel seen, valued, and connected.