With every storm comes the chance to see a rainbow.
Over the past 14 months, our community has experienced extreme challenges and hardships.
But, despite numerous obstacles, rainbows of hope have consistently appeared.
As a result of COVID-19, Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) has had the fortune to partner with community organizations that, without the pandemic, may never have had the opportunity to work with.
Organizations like Noor’s Heaven.
Noor’s Heaven is a “charitable association with a social, humanitarian and developmental nature to help the Arab and Muslim community, including children, women and men affected by poverty, violence and language barriers.”
Noor’s Heaven was founded in 2012 by Wafa Haddad, who was born in Syria, to Syrian and Lebanese parents, and the eldest of 13 brothers and sisters. She moved to Michigan in 1994 with her two children.
“We came to Michigan for one week, but the first morning I woke up and everything was quiet outside of my hotel. I looked around and said, ‘This is my home.’ From that day I built my life here,” Haddad said. 
In 2003, she opened her own business, called Tiger Lily Arabic Language Academy, which focused on teaching Arabic language to professionals and educating them on the Arabic and Muslim cultures.
However, aside from Tiger Lily, Haddad noticed a need within her community for more comprehensive resources for individuals who came from Arabic or Muslim nations and need help with necessities such as learning how to drive, speak English or find a job.
It was during that time that her 15-year-old niece passed away.
While looking through some old diaries that were left behind, Haddad discovered her niece dreamed of opening a nonprofit that would help and empower Arab women and children to become more independent.
Haddad knew then she had to start the nonprofit in her honor.
“Everything that we do at Noor’s Heaven is meant to fulfill my niece’s dream,” Haddad said.
Over the years, Noor’s Heaven has grown to reach an estimated 10% of the Arab and Muslim population across 13 counties in West Michigan.
Services include: welcoming newcomers, college and English as a second language (ESL) referrals, employment referrals, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) benefit adjustments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits resources, case management, affordable housing, domestic violence prevention, child protection services and anti-human-trafficking programs.
However, throughout the pandemic, Haddad has seen that hunger relief has been one of the largest needs in the community.
“Last year when March hit, most of the Arab newcomers and refugees had challenges to survive. Food insecurity became the number one concern,” she said. “Even when I had food options, everyone was afraid to come, and transportation was a barrier. People did not want to leave the house and come to get resources; they wanted it delivered to them at their homes.”
Noor’s Heaven, along with other local nonprofits, joined the Essential Needs Task Force. Haddad reached out to other organizations asking for help.
It was at that moment that the partnership with Kids’ Food Basket began.
“Kids’ Food Basket right away reached out and let me know they had ready-to-eat meals available and asked me how many I needed – I told them 300. It was the next day that 300 meals were delivered to us. It wasn’t a miracle, it just was them – whatever I needed, they were there.”
Twice a week, KFB provides hundreds of healthy meals to the community of Noor’s Heaven.
“The kids love the meals. It has been very useful and helpful; nothing ever goes to waste,” said Haddad. “I have seen that even parents and grandparents love to get the decorated bags to see the pictures on them. Every bag is like a story to them; they collect the bags.”
Haddad also has visited the Kids’ Food Basket Farm to consult on the types of produce that can be harvested and donated that are culturally relevant to the Arab and Muslim communities.
This summer, KFB will be planting okra, Armenian cucumber, eggplant, mint, basil and romaine lettuce.
“A lot of Arab people come from farms; they love the land. When we provide them with fresh vegetables and food, they appreciate that,” Haddad said. “They know how much hard work goes into growing and harvesting the food. Giving fresh produce is like giving money – it’s a treasure.”
The pandemic has ushered in new partnerships that have become the driving force to collaborate and ultimately create a healthier and stronger community.
“Noor’s Heaven and Kids’ Food Basket share the same core values. We both exist to serve our community with love and care. If I provide 30% of services for a community and you provide 70%, together we can provide 100%,” said Haddad. “Both of our organizations are unique in a way that when we meet each other, we complement each other, and that is very important.”
