Unlike traditional food pantries that mostly rely on canned & dry goods, we prioritize fresh, healthy & nutritious foods. We focus on serving fresh fruits & vegetables, lean meats, dairy products, and whole grains.

Sahaba Initiative: From Despair to Hope 

Our Islamic organization began over a decade ago as a simple grassroots project led by Muslim youth from San Bernardino and the Inland Empire region of Southern California. After witnessing poverty and hunger in their communities, and sensing a lack of action in community solutions, they began organizing and feeding people experiencing homelessness. 

As support from the community grew, we launched our food pantry in 2013 in a modest 200-square-foot space. Our pantry soon became a beacon of hope for residents across the Inland Empire, and in 2015, we expanded into a larger 3,000-square-foot facility to meet the rising community demand. This site, the current site of our Food and Wellness Center, has enabled us to uplift the community through all the challenges it faced (including the COVID-19 pandemic.)

These simple acts of service have blossomed into an award-winning non-profit organization that has fed nearly a million meals to hungry families!

After we help people access food, our work is hardly over. Our case managers work with our clients to help them grow holistically and achieve personal, professional, and academic success.We also employ several therapists who provide behavioral health services, specializing in serving the Arabic-speaking population in Southern California. This much-needed service is a vital link for our local Muslim population, including refugees facing barriers to service access, and individuals affected by the justice system. 

As we grew, so did our reputation: In 2018, we were awarded Non-Profit of the Year by California Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes, and this year, Feeding America (the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States) selected Sahaba Initiative over 250 Inland Empire organizations as Partner of the Year. 

Our project idea: Let's heal our community with Client Choice

Client Choice is a recent development in the way food pantry operates, and we are excited to bring you on this journey. Adopting a client choice model means empowering and trusting guests to make their own choices about healthy eating. Rather than wait in line to receive a standard bag of goods, guests are able to “shop” for their food as they would in a market (the big difference being that everything is free!) They are presented with with nutritional education within the store (such as posters, displays and live food demonstrations) and given the time to make selections that benefit them and their families. 

This groundbreaking model is compatible with Islamic principles of dignity, respect, education, empowerment and self-sufficiency. In the blessed month of Dhul Hijjah, we are reminded of the virtues of compassion and empathy, and are encouraged to act upon them. We invite you to join us in tackling the challenge of the moment and promise to be a wise steward of every dollar you contribute. 

To bring this vision to life, we need to undertake significant changes to our food pantry. We are in the process of transforming our pantry from a distribution point to an interactive and educational hub. Here, our community members can learn about the benefits of different food groups, understand food labels, and get tips on meal planning and preparation.

One big difference between traditional pantries and Client Choice pantries is the layout and logistics of food distribution. With the traditional model, most pantry guests receive the same food, and have little to no say over what they receive. In Client Choice, food is displayed in aisles, and organized in a way to highlight potential health meals that can be created with on-hand produce (also reducing waste). We are working with community partners to ensure guests are properly educated. For example, we are working with Community Health Workers from the County of San Bernardino Public Health on nutrition education for the Client Choice pantry. Other partners include local chefs, as well as food and grocery chains that contribute produce on a regular basis. 

This isn't a small undertaking. It requires significant renovations to our existing pantry space, such as investing in new shelving and flooring, and create engaging, educational displays. We're committed to this mission because we believe in a holistic approach to food security—one where we don't just fill bellies, but also empower minds.

Your contribution can make this vision a reality! It can help us invest in better infrastructure, educational materials, and equipment. We want to create a welcoming, dignified experience, a place where community members are PROUD to shop at! Every donation, big or small, gets us closer that beautiful vision. Together, we can create a healthier and more resilient community.

This Dhul Hijjah, let's build a legacy together. 

Our work's impact is best conveyed by the words of those we serve. Anthony describes us as an "Excellent place to receive social services....very professional and friendly." Cindy appreciates the warmth of our team, expressing, “These people are so giving and loving. Thank you, Omar, for this. I will definitely be back next Saturday." Charles echoes this sentiment, grateful for the quality food we provide, “Got some good food. Thank you so much." Delmar appreciates the community spirit and engagement at our pantry, stating, “I really love the fellowship and social engagement."

Their testimonials reflect the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “O people, exchange greetings of peace, feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship...” [At- Tirmidhi]

Transforming San Bernardino's Food Desert: A Mission of Hope and Nourishment

San Bernardino, California has faced several economic downturns over the past few decades, resulting in food insecurity. Alarmingly, over 70 percent of children in the city qualify for federal nutrition programs, the number above 90 percent in recent years. 

In the 1970s, San Bernardino was celebrated as an “All-America City,” an award recognizing its civic excellence. Now, the city is facing severe socio-economic challenges. The 2008 recession hit the city very hard, especially with regard to home foreclosures, and this led to a protracted bankruptcy from 2013 to 2017. San Bernardino residents also have to live with a high crime rate, earning it the distinction of California's most dangerous city in 2020. 

The pandemic further affected an already slow recovery, with the city grappling to overcome years of trauma and neglect. Food insecurity remains a major challenge in the area, with rates in excess of state and national averages. 

We have a vision to support families in crisis through addressing core areas in housing, hunger, economic stability, and mental well-being. We are a 501©3 organization models on the principles of Islam and we are nothing without our community support!

We invite you to join us in this journey of transformation. By donating, you can help reshape San Bernardino's food landscape, turning the desert into an oasis.

About Sahaba Initiative

Grounded in Islamic values of dignity, trust, and excellence, we provide direct services addressing food security, behavioral health, refugee assistance, and support for justice-involved individuals. We are committed to social change and promote healing. 

Our work is a testament to the transformative power of community resilience and shared values. Visit sahabainitiative.org to learn more about our mission and work.