Food for thought: Aussie defines charity on Facebook

Manama 

For over a year, Australian expatriates Michelle Bailey, her husband Ryaz Jivanjee and Ms. Elizabeth Dadd have been ensuring that the platters of the needy are full. Through their social media group ‘Feed the need’ in the Kingdom, they have drummed up the support of many people to feed the poor and the needy.

Started a year ago when Elizabeth Dadd read in a newspaper that a man had placed a fridge outside his house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to leave food for the needy, Dadd posted it on her Facebook page and it took off within not time.

The initiative, which had a humble support of 120 people online, now has 6,000 online supporters. Taking a cue from it, they have placed 17 fridges at various locations in the Kingdom. According to Dadd, they are planning to place 20 fridges soon.

“The hosts of the fridges have agreed to keep it clean, safe and pay for the electricity. The rest is 100 per cent voluntary. We have people donating fridges now and others fill it with food. Families helping families and spreading the message of love,” said Dadd proudly. 

The fridges are accessible 24 hours a day. The needy people or the unemployed can take a maximum of two items each. Last Eid holidays, the supporters placed cooked meals in the fridges just before the morning prayers and a total of 1,800 people were fed. Anyone can fill the fridges anytime with prepackaged grocery items.

The group did similar feats during last Christmas and the New Year of 2015. All this was achieved by volunteers after paying the restaurants in advance and they delivered the food to the fridges on time.

“We just took a leap of faith on the genuine goodness of the people of Bahrain, both expats and Bahrainis. We give a basic need of life – food,” remarked Ms Bailey about their charity act through social media. 

“The fridges get filled regularly, but they soon get empty within 15 or 20 minutes. This shows the need for more donations. This Eid we are ready to feed 500 people in a day and on normal days we are feeding a minimum of 100 people,” informed Dadd and added: “This Ramadan the response is overwhelming.”

They have urged people through social media to collect grocery items. “People of all nationalities have been supporting us to provide food for the needy during this Ramadan. Many schools and companies have been contributing. This year we have managed to fill all the fridges every day,” said Dadd.

“Donations have come from five schools in the Kingdom. This has really pushed the message of hunger and charity. One company provided 100 cases of juices, some provide dry fruits and some has even donated 4,000 eggs. Another company provided 500 biriyani meals,” she added. 

This charity initiative has gained currency in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman also.