ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) — A Rochester non-profit that provides health, food and youth services for East African families is having trouble finding funding to keep the organization afloat.
Fatuma Ahmed and Khadija Ali the co-founders of ‘Pamoja Women’ get the organization’s name from the Swahili language, which means unite organizations.
The two decided to start their non-profit after noticing a lack of community resources and support for immigrants in Rochester.
The co-founders partner with different organizations in Rochester to offer health programming in partnership with the Mayo Clinic to have more intimate conversations with healthcare providers.
There’s also a cultural food pantry partnered with Channel One Regional Food Bank that provides transportation and options for halal foods and an after-school youth enrichment program at Franklin Elementary School.
But future programming is up in the air with trouble receiving grant funding and donations. Ahmed and Ali are unsure if they can keep the organization’s doors open.
The food pantry is currently open every other Tuesday, compared to what it used to be every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ahmed said if they don’t have a certain amount of funding by December, they may not be able to sign a new lease for the organization’s office and pantry space.
“We don’t have enough money to be able to sustain it. But yet again, you still know what the needs are. Why? Because everyone calls us every week. Is the pantry open to you guys have something? Because my family needs it.,” Ahmed said.
Amongst financial concerns, Ali went on to say that there have been some issues with community support and people who are against the community they serve.
“We have people who are racist, who would come to our area, who would throw things like just say things at us,” she said.
Click here for more information on how to donate and the programs Pamoja Women offers.
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