Donors pledge over a million meals in 2 days
dubai — Just a few days after the 10 Million Meals campaign was launched, donations have been pouring in —its hotline ringing non-stop as individuals, charities and organisations pledge their contributions.
Besides the generous financial support it is receiving, the campaign’s call centre has also been overwhelmed by incredible inkind donations.
Among them were four callers whose separate contributions made up a total of 250,000 meals.
One of them gave 120,000 meals worth Dh1 million; another shared 65,000 meals worth Dh520,000; one donated 40,000 meals worth Dh320,000; and 25,000 meals for Dh200,000.
Another donor gave two tonnes of apples to be added to food packs distributed to low-income families and individuals across the UAE.
The ’10 million meals’ campaign, launched on Sunday, is the UAE’s biggest distribution drive that aims to support families and individuals affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
It enables individuals and institutions to donate towards providing meals and food parcels to lowincome individuals and families across the country throughout Ramadan. For in-kind contributions, donors have the chance to provide packaged or canned food supplies by directly contacting the campaign’s organising team on the toll-free number 8004006.
ANONYMOUS DONOR GIVES DH2 MILLION
For one philanthropist who refused to be identified, the 10 Million Meals campaign is a chance to “return a favour” to the UAE. The individual gave a generous donation of Dh2 million, which will help provide 250,000 meals to the less fortunate.
“The UAE has provided us with the opportunity to lead stable, prosperous and happy lives. Now is the time to return the favor to this beautiful country that has always welcomed everybody,” the philanthropist said. “We must stand together to support the vulnerable who are most affected by the coronavirus spread.”
RTA TO GIVE AWAY NOL CARDS FOR RAMADAN PURCHASES
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is supporting the campaign with two charitable activities: one for senior citizens and another for Covid-19 frontliners.
The RTA will be providing senior citizens with ‘nol’ cards that they can use to buy Ramadan essentials from retail outlets, including LuLu Supermarket, Carrefour, and Zoom convenience stores. The cards will be delivered to the seniors via taxis.
In the second initiative, the authority will be distributing iftar meals to hospital cleaners and security personnel at Latifa Hospital,
Rashid Hospital and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. This will be a collaborative effort between Dubai Metro and Tram operator, Serco, and online food delivery platform, Talabat.
CHARITY TO HELP PROVIDE 35,000 FOOD PACKS DAILY
With a total donation of Dh12.6 million, Dar Al Ber Society will contribute to preparing 35,000 meals and 3,386 food parcels daily — which will be equivalent to more than a million meals.
Khalfan Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman of Dar Al Ber Society, said: “The 10 million meals campaign reflects the UAE’s solidarity, coexistence and cohesion towards helping people most affected by these challenging times.” He urged entrepreneurs and government and private entities to help empower the vulnerable through the campaign.
FIRM DONATES 100K MEALS
The UAE-based Investment Group, Jaleel Holdings, announced that they will be donating 100,000 meals to the campaign.
MV Kunhumohamed, founder and chairman of Jaleel Holdings, said: “It is our responsibility to rise to the needs of the nation at a very challenging time.
“The solidarity and unity we see, even on the corporate level, demonstrates the UAE’s success in instilling the values social cooperation.”