TOLEDO, Ohio —
It's been just over one week since Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia was gunned down in the line of duty. He was called to check the safety of the man who ultimately took his life in the early hours of the Fourth of July.
Officer Anthony Dia attended Imam Ali mosque in life and now blood and spiritual families are giving back to people in the fallen officer's name. His sons Younis, Mathem and wife Jayme were among those serving our community in his memory.
"Whatever we do in their name benefits them in the afterlife so we just whatever good we can do on Anthony's name for example donating food in Anthony's name," said Jayme Dia.
Islamic scholar Imam Qazwini explains it's tradition for family members of those who die to help others in honor of their lost loved one.
"And the greatest gift that one can give to the deceased from the family is to do a good deed on their behalf," added Qazwini.
The Dia family gathered produce from the Internal light Organization and lined up alongside volunteers to give boxes of food to others.
"Fruit and vegetables, apples, oranges there's vegetable boxes and there's bags for the kids with yogurt and applesauce and snacks," said Jayme.
Dia's family said the hope is to serve 300 families and make sure nothing goes to waste.
"You know if more people don't show up I'm gonna load my car and go drop them off. I want to see if I can take them to Cherry Street Mission churches or somewhere so it's not just sitting,” added Jayme.
Jayme also said that this is the first food bank that Imam Ali mosque hosted in honor of Officer Anthony Dia. The mosque will continue to host a weekly food drive.