Under New Muslim Advocates Program, Food Delivery Charities Receiving Over $20,000 in Free Lyft, Uber Ride Credits  

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates announced the #MuslimsAct Initiative, an ongoing program that connects mosques, charities and other community organizations working to help people during the pandemic with leading corporations. Under the partnerships announced today, mosques and nonprofits in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Texas and the District of Columbia that help underserved communities receive food, medical supplies and other essential needs will be able to utilize over $20,000 in free ride credits from Lyft and Uber.

“As a national civil rights group, Muslim Advocates has spent 15 years developing deep ties to both community groups and leading companies,” said Muslim Advocates External Affairs Strategist Fatima Khan. “The #MuslimsAct Initiative leverages these relationships to ensure that mosques, charities and other groups working to support their communities during the pandemic have the resources they need to keep going and serve the most vulnerable.”

Under the #MuslimsAct Initiative, Muslim Advocates will continue to identify charities, community groups, mosques and individuals who are working to better their communities and help them partner with leading companies in a variety of industries. As part of the program, Muslim Advocates is also using social media to highlight inspiring stories of community members who are making a difference during this crisis.

During this first phase of the #MuslimsAct Initiative, the following organizations are receiving, in total, over $20,000 worth of free ride credits from Lyft and Uber:

• UMMA Community Clinic in South Los Angeles, CA provides high-quality health care for all, and addresses health care access by providing community members with rideshares to their UMMA clinic of choice and weekly free food. 
• The youth of the Muslim Community Center—a mosque in Chicago, IL—are delivering groceries and medicine to the elderly.
• The SHARE Center—a nonprofit in Lexington, KY—provides employment assistance, free medical services and food to underserved communities.
• Zaman International—a nonprofit in Trowbridge, MI—empowers marginalized women and children to break the cycle of poverty by providing basic needs assistance and vocational and literacy training.
• Amaanah Refugee Services—a charity in Houston, TX—provides financial assistance, food and other services to local newcomers including refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented people and other forced migrants.
• The Islamic Society of Greater Houston—a mosque in Houston, TX—is providing food and services to those impacted by COVID-19 in the community.
• Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center—a mosque in Virginia—provides food and other services to local people in need.

“We want to increase access to transportation for those who need it, particularly to meet their essential needs during this time. By activating LyftUp, we’re able to partner with Muslim Advocates to fill mobility needs as a part of their #MuslimsAct Initiative,” said Lisa Boyd, director of Social Impact at Lyft. “We’re proud to support organizations nationwide through this program who are helping their communities connect with essential items and services.”

“Uber is proud to work with Muslim Advocates as we continue to move whatever matters.  Our community is grateful to the healthcare workers who are saving lives every day as we are to the drivers, delivery people, and restaurants who are supporting them,” said Daniel Burr, head of Uber’s Federal Affairs team.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our community has been hit hard and the need for food has increased by 165 percent,” said Stacey Picard, assistant director of social services at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, which serves the DC metro region and runs a free pantry service. “Many of our clients do not have access to transportation, and we are so grateful to have been connected with Lyft through Muslim Advocates’ #MuslimsAct Initiative. This partnership allows so many members of the community to access food, medications and healthcare during a very challenging and uncertain time.”

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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