‘Fridge fairies’, the new faces of food charity
The holy month of Ramadan is bringing together UAE residents from different backgrounds together to reach a common goal — helping the less fortunate. Several residents have placed refrigerators in various areas of the country, as part of an initiative called Ramadan/Sharing Fridges in the UAE.
This programme, which aims to give back to the community, includes public fridges that can be restocked to help feed labourers and low income workers.
One Scottish expat, Stephen Boyle, placed a fridge outside his home in Cedre Villas, Silicon Oasis, and the response has been overwhelming. On June 7, he received a donation of 400 food items, which was shared across seven other fridges in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Foods such as fruit cake, madeira cake, paratha and veggie rolls were donated.
Boyle, who also receives help from his three young daughters, said what inspired him to help was wanting to give back to those who are less fortunate. “The working conditions, quality of living and the climate must be so tough for the workers and labourers here trying to make a living for their own families back home,” he said. “Add to that many of them are fasting through the day, so at least we can provide something for them for Iftar, after all day in the heat.
“For me it’s not just about the financial contribution — sure that’s important. People can put their hand in their pocket and give cash to a cause but it’s going the extra step and contributing your time and effort to make this happen that really makes it worthwhile for us.”
Boyle fondly calls the people who comes to his house to donate the “Fridge Fairies”. He said they come and go without the family even noticing. He said there are about 15 fridges in the Dubailand area, which are being coordinated by another expat.
“Most donations will come from the immediate community and I’m posting daily on the social media community forums to maintain interest and to thank people for donations,” he said.
“Our biggest helpers on top of that are my wife Kasia and my three daughters — Emma, Chloe and Anika — who help every morning to fill the fridge before they go to school. They also love being part of it and it’s another good thing that helps keep our kids grounded,” he said. “Not all roads to Dubai are paved with gold.”
The fridge has to be filled five to seven times each day. The family also help in keeping the other fridges in Silicon Oasis full.
Boyle said there is another expat in Skycourts who looks after six fridges. “When we do manage to see the workers benefitting (as often we are missing them) the thanks and appreciation is so rewarding — that something like this means so much to them. They’re already asking if I will keep the fridge going after Ramadan,” he said. “It’s a great initiative that has grown to become a really established cause from a standing start last year — proud to be part of it!”
The ‘Ramadan/Sharing Fridges in the UAE’ Facebook Page has become increasingly popular this year, with more than 600 new members that were added in less than two weeks. Currently, there are a total of 27,040 members in the group.
Some of the most popular food items that are being included in the fridges are drinks (juices and soda) water, laban, fruit (bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, watermelon in portions) and vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions). This is besides dry food such as dry fruits, dates, biscuits, nuts and crisps.
The initiative is spread across Dubai in areas like Jebel Ali, Marina, Sports City, Umm Suqueim, Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Meydan and Mirdif, among many others.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com