VOA标准英语2014--DC Area Islamic Charity Feeds Poor for Ramadan

 

DC Area Islamic Charity Feeds Poor for Ramadan

HERNDON, VIRGINIA —

Every Thursday afternoon during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, hundreds of people flock to Herndon High School, in the Virginia.  

A hall has been converted into a market, but there are no transactions here.  Everything is free.

It is “Food Boost,” an annual free food distribution run by the “Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate¹ Temporary Help,” or FAITH, a grassroots organization founded by members of the local Muslim community.

 "It’s in Ramadan because FAITH social services employs everybody and serves everybody but we are driven by Islamic principles," said Somayyah Ghariana, who heads the group's Food Boost Committee. "So due to that we like to let the greater community here in America know that when we fast, it’s not just about us.  It’s actually about giving to everybody around us."

Diversity

Just like the recipients³, staff members and volunteers come from various faiths and backgrounds.  Amit Ubala, a Hindu, has been volunteering for the past three years.

"I believe everybody’s there. Last year we also have people from other faiths, too.  So I think it’s a joint⁴ effort," Ubala said. "Once they started, everybody’s jumping in.  I hope a lot more people donate and we have this event other than just in Ramadan.  At least once a month or all over the year and do it on different locations, too."

At “Food Boost,” there is no screening to receive assistance.  As long as supplies are available, residents may receive staple⁵ food items such as cooking oil, rice, sugar, fresh fruits and vegetables.

"I like it, every year, it’s good for family, it’s very important not only for me but for everybody," says Food Boost recipient² Maria Mendoza.

Volunteers come from all walks of life, including Boy Scouts⁷ and Girl Scouts.  

Mana, a Girl Scout⁶ from the local Muslim Society Adams Center, says the Ramadan fast is no excuse for not helping⁸ out.

"I don’t think being tired is an excuse. We’re here to help everyone however way we can and I think Ramadan is the best time because of the rewards we’re also getting," she said.

The food drive began in the trunk of a car 10 years ago. Now, “Food Boost” serves more than 500 people weekly and will continue its efforts to make a difference in this community.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 recipient   

a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器

参考例句：

• Please check that you have a valid email certificate for each recipient. 请检查是否对每个接收者都有有效的电子邮件证书。
• Colombia is the biggest U . S aid recipient in Latin America. 哥伦比亚是美国在拉丁美洲最大的援助对象。

3 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 staple   

n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类

参考例句：

• Tea is the staple crop here.本地产品以茶叶为大宗。
• Potatoes are the staple of their diet.土豆是他们的主要食品。

6 scout   

n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索

参考例句：

• He was mistaken for an enemy scout and badly wounded.他被误认为是敌人的侦察兵，受了重伤。
• The scout made a stealthy approach to the enemy position.侦察兵偷偷地靠近敌军阵地。

7 scouts   

侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员

参考例句：

• to join the Scouts 参加童子军
• The scouts paired off and began to patrol the area. 巡逻人员两个一组，然后开始巡逻这个地区。

8 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。