A Message from Gaza Soup Kitchen

Dear Susanne,

First and foremost, thank you for being here and for your unwavering support. As we approach Ramadan, a time of reflection, community, and generosity, I want to share an update on the incredible work we are doing together in Gaza.

This is our second Ramadan in displacement, and while the circumstances remain difficult, we are more determined than ever to provide comfort, nourishment, and dignity to those in need. Because of you, we are making a real difference. ❤️


Food Relief: Nourishing Families with Dignity

1️⃣ Food Boxes:
We are distributing at least 500 food boxes per week to families who cannot stand in long lines for meals. These boxes, filled with essentials like rice, sugar, salt, cheese, and jam, provide options beyond our soup kitchens.

This week: 150 food boxes delivered.
Last week: Close to 250 food boxes were distributed.
Cost per box: $25–$35—a small amount that brings huge relief.

2️⃣ Expanding Soup Kitchen Offerings:
Traditionally, we served one meal daily, but this Ramadan, we are preparing TWO dishes per kitchen to meet different dietary needs. People can choose a soup or a main dish—or both!

3️⃣ Six Active Kitchens, Plus a Bakery:

Six kitchens operating in northern Gaza
A full-time bakery producing pies, pizzas, pastries, and rolls to supplement meals & deliver to hospitals
Chef Fatima will manage two kitchens this Ramadan

Healthcare: A Lifeline for the Community

Our medical point is now a critical healthcare hub, especially since Kamal Adwan Hospital is no longer functioning and the nearest hospital has only 12 beds.

On a slow day: We see 45 patients
On a busy day: Up to 81 patients

We provide:
✅ Primary care & prescriptions
✅ A small but well-stocked pharmacy
✅ A physical therapist (twice a week)
✅ A dentist with a fully equipped chair (twice a week)
✅ Two nurses & two physicians on staff

This is a legacy project, carried forward in memory of Chef Mahmoud. Thanks to a generous Palestinian family, we continue to operate this much-needed medical point.

Supporting Local Businesses

We also continue to support small businesses in Gaza:
✅ Three days a week, we purchase meals from local restaurants to provide for hospitals.
✅ Three days a week, we cook meals in our own kitchens.
✅ Care packages with supplies purchased from local vendors are distributed at border crossings to welcome displaced families back home.

Ten water trucks are delivered per day, every morning which is double our truck count from last month. Our four teams deliver the water trucks by 10 am before they start cooking for today.

❄️ Winter Relief & Job Creation

Beyond food and healthcare, we are providing:
✅ Winter clothes & blankets
✅ Employment for 50+ people in Gaza—giving families not just aid, but the dignity of earning a living.


🕌 A Personal Reflection on Ramadan 

I know that not everyone who supports this mission observes Ramadan, and I appreciate every one of you regardless of your faith.

For me, Ramadan is a time to renew my spirituality—something that has been difficult after witnessing so much tragedy. Yet, I find solace in knowing that we are helping in meaningful ways.

Alongside this work, I continue my full-time role at UNRWA USA, ensuring that the largest humanitarian force in Gaza has the resources to keep going.


Final Thoughts: We Need Your Help!

Donations are slowing down, but our expenses are rising—because we refuse to say no when we know we can help.

Please:
Continue standing with us—we are still standing because of you.

Feel free to reach out anytime. Your support means the world to us. Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen Team