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ONE of Bahrain’s big-hearted superstores has once again shown the true spirit of Ramadan by distributing packages of food to fasters around the island’s souqs and labour camps.
Lulu Hypermarket set up distribution points at five different locations across the kingdom a few minutes before sunset to hand out more than 5,000 boxes of biryani, riata yogurt, pickles and bottles of water as part of its annual Joy of Giving Ramadan initiative.
Juzer Rupawala, Lulu Hypermarket’s group director, said: “This year we set a new record by distributing more than 5,000 iftar meals in one day to the public.
“It was an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of togetherness and we’re very happy that our Joy of Giving has brought people together.
“It’s a small token of our appreciation to the community. After all, this is the spirit of Ramadan, the spirit of giving and we are just being part of it. We welcomed people from different societies and communities to volunteer and we are also pleased that the Ministry of Interior has been here helping us out too.
“This concept of reaching a nutritious and wholesome iftar meal directly to the community has been Lulu’s Ramadan campaign for some years now and the Joy of Giving is multiplied by the joy of sharing.”
Vans, branded with the Lulu ‘Joy of Giving’ emblem, were all parked at the same time in Manama at Bab Al Bahrain, in Riffa at the souq, at the Muharraq post office and at labour camps in Budaiya and Salamabad.
In the heart of the city, hundreds of people lined up around the van as members of the management team from the retail giant proudly donned their campaign caps and began passing out the hot meals. More volunteers soon began turning up to assist with the distribution effort.
Among them were members from the American Women’s Association, the Awali Ladies Hospitality Group, the Italian Bahraini Friendship Association, the Thai Club, the Filipino Community, the Chartered Accountants of India and MWPS. There were also a few social media bloggers lending a helping hand and spreading the message.
Karen Labella, the chairman of the Awali Ladies Hospitality Group, joined three other members in handing out the boxes of goodies. She said: “This is our way of giving back to the community that we love and we are delighted to be helping in any way we can.”
The men and women from the Ministry of Interior were also present to pass around parcels and ensure everything was carried out in an orderly fashion.
As volunteers passed out the hot meals the many fasters thanked them and walked away with huge smiles on their faces as they prepared to tuck into the biryanis made by a team of chefs at different Lulu stores.
Abdul Nassar, a 48-year-old taxi driver, was delighted and said: “What they are doing is great and helpful to so many people. It’s clearly given from the heart.”
Alfonso A. Ver, the ambassador of Philippines to Bahrain, also made a surprise visit to the Muharraq location to lend a VIP helping hand. In total, there were more than 70 volunteers stepping forward to support the initiative across the kingdom.
In addition, Lulu also worked with the Indian Ladies Association to distribute iftar packs through their Workers Welfare Committee to 140 labourers living in a camp in Salmabad.
