100 Ramadan food fridges placed across UAE

By Rajive Singh

Food for the needy

DUBAI 8 May 2019: UAE Food Bank branches for the needy have been opened in Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, bringing to five the number of food banks across the UAE

“We are striving  to make the bank an integrated humanitarian system that enhances the spirit of mutual support and cooperation in the community by taking advantage of the surplus food within a sustainable organizational framework so that all citizens and residents are an active part of this charitable and humanitarian approach, as well as contributing to food security by reducing wastage of food,” said Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank.

The UAE Food Bank has distributed 7,943 tons of food since the start of the bank in 2017 until the end of April 2019, the signing of agreements with 50 food establishments, 13 charities and three partnerships with other food banks in the Arab world.

Food Bank fridges now total 80 in Dubai’s mosques, 10 in Ajman and 10 in Ras Al Khaimah.

Al Hajri added that the UAE Food Bank has formulated a special program for Ramadan, through which it will prepare about 3,500 Iftar and Suhoor kits daily tand also distribute the bank’s fridges in cooperation with Careem, in addition to other programs that are involved in charitable work.

2018 Ramadan

During last year’s Ramadan, 49,700 Iftar kits were distributed, in addition to 23,500 Suhoor meals, in cooperation with a group of sponsors such as Sadia, Al Islami Food, Caesar’s Catering, Lulu Hypermarket, West Zone Supermarket, Al Marai, Barakat, STC, Zahrat Al Madaen, Farzana General Trading, Dubai Golf Club, Brokat Catering, Modern Bakery Alia General Trading, Al Habtoor Grand Hotel, Nusret Restaurant, Essa Al Ghurair, and Al Hamr Kitchen.

In addition, a partnership agreement was signed with Careem to receive and deliver the foodstuffs donated by the people through the Food Bank, in accordance with specific criteria and requirements, the most important of which are the health and safety conditions of the food and its delivery to those in need at the Emirate level. An average Careem collected 13 meals per day reaching a total of 377 meals last Ramadan.