WILLMAR — Community organizers Hamdi Kosar and Hsa Lar spent their sunny Tuesday afternoon delivering groceries from the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf to families in need to help make food access easier during the COVID-19 pandemic despite language barriers. The duo delivered to eight families, all of whom speak primarily Somali.
Kosar saw a greater need for food access, particularly in the Somali community, after the pandemic began.
"It's hard when you don't speak English very well or don't have access to a car. There are so many families in Willmar, especially single mothers, who don't have the resources," Kosar said.
She reached out to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf and requested to have food shares prepared that were appropriate for halal diets.
"You want to receive your food from someone you know and trust," Kosar said. "It makes you feel comfortable especially when you don't speak (English) well."
Both Kosar and Lar want to provide more food access during this time to area families who speak little to no English. Lar hopes to reach out to the Karen community to act as a liaison as well.
"Even in the hardest times, you have to get out of your bubble and give back," Kosar said.
For more information, please email Kosar at hamdikosar0@gmail.com.
1/6: Kandiyohi County Food Shelf Executive Director Alana Ziehl, left, brings out eight food orders that Community Organizers Hsa Lar and Hamdi Kosar will later deliver to families in the Somali community Tuesday in Willmar. Lar and Kosar aimed to help make food access easier despite language barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/6: Community Organizer Hsa Lar helps to pack groceries into the car that she and Hamdi Kosar will later deliver to families Tuesday outside of the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/6: Community Organizer Hamdi Kosar leaves groceries on the steps for a family Tuesday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/6: Community Organizers Hamdi Kosar and Hsa Lar ring the doorbell to leave groceries on the steps for a family Tuesday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
5/6: Community Organizers Hamdi Kosar, left, and Hsa Lar carry groceries from the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf to leave on the doorstep Tuesday afternoon in Willmar. Kosar and Lar aimed to help make food access easier despite language barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
6/6: Isman Mahamed Abdilahi, left, waits as Community Organizer Hamdi Kosar checks to see if a food item is halal appropriate after delivering the food order to Abdilahi’s home Tuesday in Willmar. Kosar reached out to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf and requested to have food shares prepared that were appropriate for halal diets. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
Erica Dischino is a photojournalist for the West Central Tribune and Forum News Service. She grew up in northern New Jersey and has lived in the Midwest since 2017. She enjoys photographing the stories of west central Minnesota from county fairs, parades and pandemics. Feel free to contact her at edischino@wctrib.com or 320-894-8865 with your best photo ideas.
