February 2026 Impact Report
Honoring Identity: World Hijab Day Celebration!
On February 2, MUNA Social Services partnered with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau to host a special World Hijab Day celebration at the MUNA Center of New York. The event brought together approximately 350 students and community members, creating a space to recognize identity, respect, and shared community values.
Students from across the city gathered for the program, which included remarks from community leaders and NYPD representatives. The event focused on building understanding and celebrating the experiences of Muslim women and girls who choose to wear the hijab.
To mark the occasion, every student in attendance received lunch, a hijab, and a custom-designed World Hijab Day T-shirt. Volunteers and organizers worked throughout the day to ensure the large group of attendees felt welcomed and supported.
The gathering highlighted MSS’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships between community organizations, young people, and city agencies. By bringing together hundreds of students under one roof, the event reinforced a simple message: identity, respect, and community can be celebrated together.
Financial Wellness Workshop Series
MUNA Social Services partnered with the Brooklyn Collegiate Preparatory School PTA to host a Financial Wellness Workshop Series for families in the school community. The multi-session program was facilitated by Dr. Jahangir Kabir (BBA, MBA, DBA), who serves as the Director of Operations and Communications at MUNA Social Services.
Held across several sessions in early February, the workshops provided parents and families with practical guidance on topics such as budgeting, financial planning, saving strategies, and long-term financial stability. The series allowed participants to build their knowledge step by step while asking questions and discussing real-life financial challenges faced by families.
By partnering with schools and community organizations, MSS continues to expand its mission beyond direct services by offering educational opportunities that empower families. Programs like this financial wellness series help parents feel more confident in managing their finances and planning for their children’s future.
Through initiatives like this, MSS remains committed to strengthening communities by providing both resources and knowledge that support long-term stability for families across New York City.
MSS & ARWA Community Development Center
On February 28, 2026, MUNA Social Services partnered with ARWA Community Development Center to organize a community food distribution in Brooklyn, held in front of Alarabi Market on 5th Avenue. The event brought together volunteers and community members to support families facing rising food costs and food insecurity.
Beginning at 2:00 PM, residents gathered outside the market to receive bags of groceries that included fresh produce and pantry staples. Hosting the distribution directly within the neighborhood allowed organizers to reach families who may not regularly visit larger pantry sites.
The collaboration between MSS and ARWA reflects a shared commitment to meeting people where they are. By partnering with local businesses and community organizations, the event helped ensure that food assistance remained accessible and visible within the community.
As food insecurity continues to impact many households across New York City, initiatives like this neighborhood distribution play an important role in supporting families and strengthening community connections. Through partnerships like this one, MUNA Social Services continues expanding its efforts to ensure that no family is left without access to basic necessities.
MSS & Arise NYC Community
On February 20, 2026, MUNA Social Services joined Arise NYC Community and Pharmamaya for a neighborhood food drive held outside Pharmamaya Pharmacy on 86th Street in Brooklyn. The drive focused on collecting canned food and other non-perishable items that could be distributed to families struggling with rising grocery costs.
Throughout the morning, volunteers organized donated items including canned vegetables, soup, pasta, and other pantry staples. Community members stopped by to contribute what they could, while volunteers sorted the food and prepared it for distribution.
The event was organized by Arise NYC, with Pharmamaya providing the location and MUNA Social Services supporting the effort on the ground. Working together, the groups were able to turn a simple food drive into a coordinated community effort to get groceries into the hands of families who need them.
Food drives like this continue to play an important role in neighborhoods across the city, where many households rely on community organizations and local partnerships for additional support.
MSS & Community Groups
On February 6, 2026, a coalition of community organizations launched a new food distribution site in Brooklyn, expanding access to free groceries for residents in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood. The distribution took place at 117 Madison Avenue, at the corner of Bedford Avenue, where community members gathered beginning at 3:00 PM.
The initiative was organized through a collaboration between MUNA Social Services, Black Muslims Now, the Muslim Community Advocacy Coalition (MCAC), and Masjid At-Taqwa Brooklyn. Together, the groups worked to create an additional distribution location to help address food insecurity in the area.
Volunteers distributed groceries including produce and pantry staples to neighborhood residents. The new location was designed to make food assistance more accessible for families living nearby, especially those who may not be able to travel to other pantry sites across the city.
By launching this new distribution point, the partnering organizations hope to continue building a consistent source of food support for the community while strengthening cooperation between local groups working toward the same goal.
Serving Communities Through the Storm: NEFAP
In February 2026, MUNA Social Services’ Nourish Emergency Food Assistance Program (NEFAP) continued providing critical food support to communities facing rising food costs and economic pressure. Throughout the month, the program served approximately 25,000 individuals through its network of pantry distributions and partner sites.
Despite harsh winter weather, including heavy snow and freezing temperatures, MSS staff and volunteers remained committed to ensuring families could still access groceries. Distributions continued across multiple locations, allowing thousands of households to receive essential food supplies even during difficult weather conditions.
The program provides a mix of fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essential groceries, helping families maintain access to nutritious meals. Intake data from February shows that many households served included children and seniors, underscoring how important consistent food access is for vulnerable populations.
Through strong coordination between warehouse teams, pantry partners, and volunteers, NEFAP was able to continue its operations without interruption. Even during severe winter conditions, MUNA Social Services remained dedicated to reaching individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
As the demand for food assistance continues across the region, NEFAP remains a cornerstone of MSS’s efforts to strengthen communities and ensure that no family goes without access to basic necessities.
Balancing Faith & Academics
During the month of Ramadan, Aim High Academy adjusted its program schedule to better support students who are fasting while keeping up with their schoolwork. Instead of the regular weekday sessions, the program temporarily shifted to weekend afternoon classes so students could continue receiving academic support without the difficulty of attending long after-school sessions while fasting.
The adjustment allowed students to maintain consistency with their studies while balancing the physical and spiritual commitments of Ramadan. Weekend sessions continued to provide homework support, tutoring, and test preparation, giving students a focused environment to stay on track academically during the month.
Aim High Academy’s academic mentors—many of whom are students from New York City’s specialized high schools—continued working closely with participants, guiding them through assignments and helping them strengthen their study habits. The program also offers internship opportunities for many mentors, allowing them to gain leadership and teaching experience while supporting younger students in their community.
By adapting the schedule during Ramadan, Aim High Academy ensured that students could continue learning in a way that respected their needs during the month. The program remains committed to creating a supportive environment where students can grow academically while balancing the different responsibilities in their lives.