The Pzafaama Helping Hand Foundation (PHHF) on Friday distributed cooked and raw food items to more than 400 underprivileged children and elderly residents in communities on the outskirts of Abuja, in a gesture to mark the end of the Christian Lenten fast and the Easter season.
The outreach, held on Good Friday as part of activities leading into Easter, drew large numbers of beneficiaries who gathered early at designated distribution points. Volunteers of the foundation prepared and served hot meals on-site, while also distributing bags of staple food items—including rice, beans, and other essentials—to households to help cushion the impact of rising food costs.
Organisers said the initiative was aimed not only at providing immediate relief but also at reinforcing the core values of compassion, sacrifice and charity associated with Lent and Easter, a period widely observed by Christians around the world as a time of reflection, renewal and giving.
Many residents, including widows and elderly persons, expressed deep appreciation for the intervention, describing it as both timely and impactful. Several beneficiaries noted that the current economic realities and increasing food prices have made it difficult for vulnerable groups to meet their daily nutritional needs.
Speaking during the exercise, the founder of the foundation, Princess (Dr.) Hauwa U. A. Abdul-Dimka, said the programme reflects PHHF’s broader commitment to supporting underserved communities irrespective of religious or ethnic background.
She explained that the decision to hold the outreach on Good Friday was symbolic, as it marks the conclusion of Lent and the beginning of Easter—a season that embodies hope, sacrifice and renewal.
“Lent is a time that teaches sacrifice, love and giving. As we enter Easter, which symbolises hope and new beginnings, we believe that no one should go hungry, especially at a time when people are concluding a spiritual exercise centred on compassion and selflessness,” she said.
Princess Abdul-Dimka added that the foundation deliberately focused on children and the elderly, whom she described as among the most vulnerable segments of society.
“These groups often bear the brunt of economic hardship. It is our responsibility to extend a helping hand, to show them care, and to remind them that they are not forgotten,” she said.
She also highlighted the foundation’s consistent efforts to promote inclusivity and interfaith support, noting that PHHF had, just a week earlier, carried out a similar outreach programme for Muslim communities during Ramadan.
It would be recalled that the foundation fed thousands of vulnerable Muslims during the last Ramadan fast and provided food items to hundreds to celebrate Sallah.
According to her, the foundation distributed food items to support families observing the Ramadan fast, helping them break their fast and sustain themselves throughout the holy period.
“This is who we are as a foundation,” she said. “We recently provided food support to our Muslim brothers and sisters during Ramadan to assist them as they observed their fast. Today, as Christians mark Easter, we are here again to support our communities. Our mission is rooted in humanity first.”
She emphasised that PHHF remains committed to responding to the needs of vulnerable populations across different communities, especially during significant religious seasons when acts of charity are most meaningful.
The outreach also aligns with broader calls by humanitarian organisations for increased support to low-income households facing food insecurity in Nigeria, particularly amid economic pressures and inflation.
Princess Abdul-Dimka called on well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies to partner with foundations like PHHF to scale up interventions aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty.
“No single organisation can do it alone. We need collective action and sustained commitment to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most,” she said.