Iraqi widows receive food bundles from local leaders

Courtesy Photo | Atlal Karim (left) and Riyadh Jasim Kadham (center) speak with 2nd Lt. Brendan McNichol, a Morris, Conn., native, about the food drop for Iraqi widows in the Wazariyah neighborhood of Baghdad's Adhamiyah district Nov. 19. McNichol serves with Company E, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad.  

IRAQ

11.22.2008

Story by Scott Flenner 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Scott Flenner
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office

WAZERIYAH, Iraq – The Neighborhood Advisory Council of Wazeriyah provided food assistance to 60 Iraqi widows in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district Nov. 19 while Multi-National Division –Baghdad Soldiers secured the area.

The widows arrived early in the morning and sat in the auditorium waiting for the NAC members to arrive. Atlal Karim, the women's representative for Wazeriyah, addressed the assembled widows.

"Thank you all for coming. The Wazeriyah NAC is glad to support the widows of the area and will continue to support the widows in the future," said Karim. "Everyone who came today has shown a desire for the betterment of our country and community"

Following Atlal's speech, the widows filed outside to receive their food bundles; each bag contained rice, beans and canned goods. Each bag could feed a family of three for a few days.

As Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assisted in lifting the food sacks out of the truck, the NAC members personally handed the food to each widow. School supplies were also distributed to children who came with their mothers.

Atlal thanked the Soldiers for their assistance.

"Thank you for helping me with my idea to help support the widows. I have many more ideas that I would like to share with you in the future to help these women," said Atlal. "I am just excited for this initiative and the help [MND-B] have given."

As the event wrapped up, Sheik Muhammad Adel the Imam, Al Ani Mosque and Wazeriyah NAC chairman, said that he was extremely pleased with how the drop occurred and the turnout of support.

A total of 180 bags were handed out to the widows; 60 food bags remained and were given to Atlal to distribute to the widows who were unable to make the function.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2008
• Date Posted: 11.22.2008 04:51
• Story ID: 26662
• Location: IQ