Providing Iftar for those who fast is a great way to serve your community and reap great rewards from Allah. 

 

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever provides Iftar for a fasting person will have a reward similar to them without detracting from their reward in the slightest.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

 

This year GCLEA is organizing two ways you can host an Iftar.

1. In-person

2. Drive-thru

 

In-Person Iftar

The in-person iftars will be held every Saturday evening during the month. As a host, you will be teaming up with other host families and coordinating with Imam John and his team of volunteers to provide the community with a smooth and enjoyable Iftar experience.

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This year we will be holding the Iftar gatherings in our future expansion site (the fencing facility across from the pickle ball courts). The host team will determine the number of meals they wish to distribute, pick the caterer, manage the setup and break down of the hall, arrange for payment and delivery of food, and distribute the pre-boxed meals to the community.

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The host team should arrive to GCLEA at least an hour before iftar. They will be met by a GCLEA volunteer who will provide in-person instructions and guidance. The initial breaking of the fast will happen in the GCLEA prayer halls with dates and water followed by Maghrib prayer. After Maghrib prayer, those who registered for Iftar will make their way to the hall and be issued their individual pre-boxed meals. After dinner, everyone will return to GCLEA to enjoy tea or coffee and prepare for prayer. The tea and coffee stations will be managed by GCLEA volunteers.

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The host team MUST remain behind long enough to clear the hall area of supplies and trash and join the prayer service at their convenience. Tables, supplies, dividers, and tarps must be stowed and returned to their designated storage areas. All trash must be taken to the dumpsters on the Cherry Hill Free Clinic side of the building. Be mindful to not dump trash in the recycle dumpster. If you do not wish to stay behind to clean up, you may hire a cleaning service to do it for you. Regardless of the method, it MUST be done thoroughly and completely.

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Please note the following guidelines.

GCLEA will be provide the following.

1. Online registration

2. Advertisement of the Iftar event through email/whatsapp

3. Tables for food distribution

4. Chairs for elderly and special-needs individuals

5. Dividers for the hall to create sections for men and women

6. Tarps to protect the flooring from spills

7. Trash cans

8. Disposable cutlery and paper napkins

9. Full-service tea and coffee stations

10. Water pitchers and cups for the initial breaking of the fast

11. Volunteers to help direct the host team

 

Host team will provide the following.

1. Individually pre-boxed Iftar meals and water (yes, we are serving individual pre-boxed meals this year)

2. Dates for the initial breaking of the fast

3. Robust team to setup and breakdown

 

The following are highly recommended.

1. The host team arrives at least 1 hour early to setup the hall area. 

2. The food be catered from a local source. Because of traffic and unforeseen issues, out-of-town suppliers have caused frustrating delays in the past. Supporting our local halal food scene is a win-win.

3. Maintain a tally of meals for the host team members and GCLEA volunteers separate from the sponsored total.

 

If you are interested in hosting an in-person Iftar please reach out to Imam John directly by email, john@gclea.org

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Drive-Thru Iftar

The drive-thru iftars will be managed in the same manner they have in the past. 

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The drive-thru iftars can be sponsored any night of the month other than Saturdays. As a host, you will be teaming up with other host families and coordinating with Imam John to provide the community with a smooth and enjoyable drive-thru Iftar experience.

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The host team will select an available date and determine the number of meals they wish to distribute, pick the caterer, manage the setup and break down of the drive-thru line, arrange for payment and delivery of food, and distribute the individually pre-boxed meals to the community.

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The host team should arrive to GCLEA at least an hour before iftar in order to receive the food and set up the drive-thru line.

The drive-thru line will be located just outside the sisters’ entrance to GCLEA. When the host team arrives, they will find tables near the kitchen that can be used for food distribution. A registration list will be provided by email prior to the distribution time.

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Once distribution is complete, the host team will remain behind long enough to return any tables or equipment they used to their designated areas. Any unclaimed meals may be left on the kitchen buffet counter for community members to easily take home. Imam John should be informed of any surplus in order to make an announcement. Any trash must be taken to the dumpsters on the Cherry Hill Free Clinic side of the building. Be mindful to not dump trash in the recycle dumpster.

​

Please note the following guidelines.

GCLEA will be provide the following.

1. Online registration

2. Advertisement of the Iftar event through email/whatsapp

3. Tables for food distribution

 

Host team will provide the following.

1. Individually pre-boxed Iftar meals

2. Robust team to setup, distribute meals, and breakdown

 

The following are highly recommended.

1. The host team arrives at least 1 hour early to setup the drive-thru area. 

2. The food be catered from a local source. Because of traffic and unforeseen issues, out-of-town suppliers have caused frustrating delays in the past. Supporting our local halal food scene is a win-win.

3. Maintain a tally of meals for the host team separate from the sponsored total.

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If you are interested in hosting an drive-thru Iftar please reach out to Imam John directly by email, john@gclea.org