Update: May 16th and May 17th Humanitarian Day events have been postponed until the summer. Those who have signed up will be notified of the new dates. 

Each Ramadan, Muslim volunteers reach out to homeless people and others in need on Skid Row with free health services, food, clothing, and other assistance in the closing days of Ramadan. This year on Saturday, May 16th (Santa Ana) and Sunday May 17th (Downtown LA), five “Humanitarian Day” charitable events are planned in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties. 

The outreach grew from an effort that the South Los Angeles-based Islamic ILM (Intellect, Love and Mercy) Foundation started in the downtown Los Angeles homeless community in 2000. The annual event has grown beyond Skid Row and now involves hundreds of volunteers and the support of such organizations as UMMA Community Clinic, Claremont Lincoln University, Orange County Islamic Foundation and the Shia Muslim Council. 

Free health services are only offered at the Skid Row event and include: dental screenings, cleanings and extractions; blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and hepatitis tests; glucose screening; and medical referrals.

In Orange County, the event is only for volunteers to pack giveaway bags that they will deliver to the Courtyard homeless shelter in Santa Ana. 

Volunteers at these other locations will distribute bags with hygiene kits, notebooks and other supplies to homeless people.