Syed Najam Hassan

Humanitarian in Calgary

It was 2018 when he set up his first multicultural outdoor public library with the motto: “Take a book; return a book.”

“My volunteer team and I have donated

32 multicultural libraries, fabricated and installed in different cities and towns in Canada,” he says.

During the pandemic, Hassan noticed that unemployment and food insecurity had risen among newcomers, so he created an outdoor community food bank with the modified motto, “Take a blessing; leave a blessing.”

So far, Hassan and his volunteers have set up 11 outdoor food banks in different communities. Two clothing banks followed in 2022 with another new slogan: “If you need it, take it.”

“We want to reach out with love to all in need, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity,” he says.

Other initiatives Hassan has led include job search help and information seminars for immigrants, holiday food drives, food deliveries, fresh produce distribution, winter gear drives, coffee with seniors and free tax filing services.

A recipient of several awards including a Newcomer Champion Award at the Alberta Newcomer Recognition Awards in 2022, Hassan says, “Let’s make Canada the best place for everyone.”