Decibel
How One Group Is Feeding Rundberg While Fasting For Ramadan
Clip | 5m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
While fasting for Ramadan, one groups feeds their souls by helping others.
Working at a food bank can be physically demanding, but even more so when the participants can't eat. But volunteers are finding fulfillment in helping their Rundberg neighbors.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Decibel is a local public television program presented by Austin PBS
Funding for Decibel is provided in part by Texas Mutual and Roxanne Elder & Scott Borders
Decibel
How One Group Is Feeding Rundberg While Fasting For Ramadan
Clip | 5m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
Working at a food bank can be physically demanding, but even more so when the participants can't eat. But volunteers are finding fulfillment in helping their Rundberg neighbors.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Decibel
Decibel is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
(speaking in a foreign language) (bags rustling) - We wanna take care of our neighbors.
That's the most important thing.
(speaking in a foreign language) This is part of our religion.
If, you know, our neighbors are sleeping hungry, then it is our responsibility.
We must step up.
(somber music) Spread out a little bit, spread out.
Everyone must see each other, everyone sees each other.
Whenever I moved around town, it was difficult to find myself and my place in the community.
(speaking in a foreign language) So the mosque has been a place where I find my identity and express myself well.
All right, what we are doing here is a grocery drive-through of 150 boxes.
People have signed up.
That's where I started volunteering.
(bright music) My name is Altaf Khatri.
I've been serving this community in a volunteering capacity for over eight years now.
We are very close to Rundberg area.
We're north of Rundberg.
Economically, it has its challenges.
People were coming here and looking for clothes.
They were looking for diapers, even for groceries.
(bright music continues) So we started this program in April of 2020.
Today we are still running this program, every Sunday, rain or shine.
It's called NAMCC grocery drive-through program.
(both speaking in a foreign language) We have people from over, I will say, 60 different cultures coming in.
We're serving 250 families every single week.
This program is open to anyone, irrespective of their faith, belief, as long as they have need for food.
Let's make our intentions very clear.
This is for the needy of our community.
We are fasting.
We try to help them as much as we can.
But given especially the month of Ramadan, it is very taxing for us.
(soft music) This is the month of Ramadan, where Muslims fast to sunset.
We don't eat, we do not drink.
And practice self-discipline.
This goes on for 30 days.
(soft music continues) Circle, circle, circle.
What we are doing here is a grocery drive-through packing for 250 families.
One of the things that fasting will bring in us is compassion.
We feel the hunger, we feel the thirst.
We feel the pain and the sufferings of the people who don't even have these resources.
We are doing this by choice, but there are people in the world who don't even have meals for days.
(bag rustling) It makes us ponder our, the things that we take for granted.
- [Child] No, I got it.
- [Altaf] It brings us a lot of compassion.
- I think we're tremendously blessed.
And it was important to sort of do some of these activities, not just for myself, but for more for, to make sure that they realize how lucky we are.
Ramadan is not about just kind of stopping your life and just like sitting at home.
It's about community.
It's about being involved.
It's about living your life.
But then also kind of practicing this beautiful tradition, and making sure you can also sort of develop the empathy and the compassion that's required in a world like this.
- Instead of volunteering going down in the month of Ramadan, where you will expect that people are not eating, they don't have energy.
In fact, we are like two times, three times the capacity of volunteering itself.
(gentle music) - Good morning.
- We started this program just to serve the needy of the community just with some food pantry.
Today we are running several successful programs, like a free clothing boutique, a diaper bank, a grocery drive-through, a free clinic, and financial assistance as well.
So, anyone who has a will to do, don't hold back.
Just take that step and God will show us the way.
(gentle music)
Now PlayingHow One Group Is Feeding Rundberg While Fasting For Ramadan
Video has Closed Captions
While fasting for Ramadan, one groups feeds their souls by helping others. (5m 56s)
The Texas Lege Wants To Pass School Vouchers. How Will It Impact Lower-Income Communities?
Video has Closed Captions
What are school vouchers? And if signed into law, what will they look like in Texas? (7m 52s)
How Las Promotoras de Salud are keeping their neighbors healthy
Video has Closed Captions
Medical complications took her husband’s life. She ensures her neighbors don’t go through it too. (6m 36s)
Growing Community At Garden Storytime
Video has Closed Captions
See how one librarian is introducing kids to green spaces, one story at a time. (3m 32s)
Tết, Tradition, & Training: How Lion Dancers Are Keeping North Austin Culture Alive
Video has Closed Captions
One local dance group is helping keep traditions alive and start the year off with a literal bang. (4m 45s)
Touring Rundberg with Jose Carrasco
Video has Closed Captions
Decibel tours Rundberg with Jose Carrasco. (5m 40s)
What Is 'The Program' And Could Austin Need It Again?
Video has Closed Captions
Will a program meant to get people out of flood zones be needed again in Austin? (9m 13s)
How Is This Local Food Bank Fighting Against High Food Costs And Less Donations?
Video has Closed Captions
Families are struggling with food costs. So are the food banks they’re going to for help. (5m 36s)
They’re Getting Offered Thousands Of Dollars For Their Homes. He Says They Deserve More
Video has Closed Captions
One Dove Springs resident is making sure his neighbors know how much their homes are really worth. (5m 13s)
“There Needs To Be Some Changes”: Austinites Split On HOME Phase 2
Video has Closed Captions
The minimum lot size for single family homes drops to 1800 square feet. (5m 33s)
Who's Getting Lower Rents In Austin?
Video has Closed Captions
Rent is falling across the city. But many residents are seeing their rent continue to go up. (7m 37s)
Video has Closed Captions
They took the job to help neighbors find housing resources. They're helping with more. (4m 31s)
‘Where Do They Go?’: Voucher Holders Struggle To Find Housin
Video has Closed Captions
Austin is the second-worst city in the country for housing voucher holders to find a home. (5m 37s)
The Trail that Wrote Texas History
Video has Closed Captions
Learn about El Camino Real de los Tejas and how it impacted Texans on and off the roads. (6m 36s)
Video has Closed Captions
She helps families with any resources they need. Lately they need help leaving. (4m 35s)
‘The Status Quo Is Just Not Sufficient’: Austinites On HOME
Video has Closed Captions
Will a land code update fix Austin's housing affordability, or make it worse? (5m 23s)
Are There Still Doves In Dove Springs?
Video has Closed Captions
Are the birds that gave Dove Springs its name still in the area? (4m 18s)
Why Does It Flood In Southeast Austin?
Video has Closed Captions
Ever wondered why some areas flood more than others? Learn why in the newest Decibel story (6m 57s)
Artist Paints Memories Of Historic Onion Creek Flood
Video has Closed Captions
A local artist collaborates with flood survivors on a new Austin mural. (5m 32s)
One Dove Springs resident struggles with increasing temperatures and electricity bills. (4m 53s)
Video has Closed Captions
Parts of Austin are nearly 8 degrees hotter than others, so who's feeling the heat? (7m 12s)
Video has Closed Captions
Shelly Barber wants to help the local transgender community look fabulous and feel loved. (3m 16s)
Video has Closed Captions
A new Pflugerville farmer must contend with agricultural challenges. (5m 19s)
Video has Closed Captions
Tuan Nguyen brings his family's recipes to Pflugerville residents. (5m 10s)
‘We’re All In It Together’: Community Fights For School Fund
Video has Closed Captions
Pflugerville community fights for school funding from the state legislature. (4m 27s)
Video has Closed Captions
An LGBTQ+ group aims to help their neighbors even in the face of increasing threats. (5m 29s)
Video has Closed Captions
Fatema Hirani’s faith asks her to keep the Earth clean. But how do you do that locally? (5m 7s)
Pflugerville ISD Won’t Close Dessau Elementary School
Video has Closed Captions
PfISD will not be moving forward with a plan that would close Dessau Elementary School. (1m 41s)
Video has Closed Captions
Rising costs are shutting the gate on land for a local equine nonprofit (4m 37s)
‘There’s Some Exciting Things Coming’: Mayor Discusses The
Video has Closed Captions
Pflugerville residents told us what they wanted city leaders to focus on as the city grow (5m 12s)
Pflugerville Residents Pose Questions To Candidates
Video has Closed Captions
Pflugerville residents share concerns about their growing city. (4m 2s)
Video has Closed Captions
One Pflugerville food bank is trying to break bread and stigmas around food assistance. (5m 21s)
Video has Closed Captions
Local group tries to preserve historic Black cemetery (4m 59s)
Entrepreneurs Set Up Shop In Pflugerville
Video has Closed Captions
Owning a business is difficult anywhere, and Pflugerville is no exception. (4m 8s)
Video has Closed Captions
Decibel celebrates the end of a year-long project in Del Valle. (2m 42s)
Video has Closed Captions
One Del Valle resident is trying to help local kids stay safe while they bike in the area. (4m 38s)
La Plaza De Toros R3 owner Jose Hernandez, has struggled to build a business in Del Valle. (4m 36s)
Video has Closed Captions
Joseph Vega uses culinary skills to make transformative dishes and change lives. (5m 49s)
Video has Closed Captions
A Del Valle family navigating a childhood asthma diagnosis find many health care barriers. (5m 7s)
Video has Closed Captions
Del Valle residents struggle to voice concerns on neighborhood water cost and quality. (4m 54s)
‘They Don’t Show Up’: Del Valle's Relationship With Police
Video has Closed Captions
Del Valle residents describe what law enforcement looks like in their community. (4m 22s)
'Playing The Puzzle Piece Game': DVISD Staff Shortage
Video has Closed Captions
Del Valle ISD is struggling to find subs. Is it a preview of a possible teacher shortage? (3m 4s)
Video has Closed Captions
Changes in Del Valle are raising housing costs and forcing folks to make tough decisions. (4m 59s)
'This Community Is A Blind Spot': Del Valle Residents Fall
Video has Closed Captions
Many Del Valle residents don't have access to the internet and it effects their lives. (4m 33s)
Best Of Decibel 2021: The Calling
Video has Closed Captions
Decibel Visual Journalist Joe Rocha discusses his favorite project of 2021. (6m 52s)
Best Of Decibel 2021: “It’s Kinda Stressful”
Video has Closed Captions
Decibel Visual Journalist KC Cruz shares their favorite story of the year. (5m 44s)
Decibel’s Year In Review: Blair’s Top Story
Video has Closed Captions
Decibel reporter Blair Waltman-Alexin shares her favorite story of the year. (6m 13s)
Video has Closed Captions
To help his family, Max Varela rediscovered his family’s legacy of making tamales. (5m 47s)
Video has Closed Captions
Grace Rivera Curry improves her culinary skills and is creating a healthier community. (5m 28s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Decibel is a local public television program presented by Austin PBS
Funding for Decibel is provided in part by Texas Mutual and Roxanne Elder & Scott Borders