PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Offering the needy a way to survive, the Muslim community in Panama City have boxed up Thanksgiving dinners, including turkeys and canned goods, for underprivileged families in Bay County.

“Just opening the door to generosity, devotion and love. We consider it an honor and privilege to help those and serve those who are less fortunate,” Basheer Abdeen, youth director at the Bay County Islamic Society, told Mypanhandle.com.

The center’s food drive, held Wednesday night, was attended by the youth of the center, aged 9-12, who helped to box up the Thanksgiving meals.

The food, donated by the Muslim community, will be distributed by the Panama City Rescue Mission to those in need.

Abdeen said these events offer an opportunity to give back to the society and teach the kids a key tenet in Islam.