DOHA: The Food Preservation Center announced the results of its work during the year 2024, which witnessed a tangible and clear development, as the number of beneficiaries from all the center’s activities reached 413,949 beneficiaries.
The center, represented by the Food Bank Department responsible for receiving surplus meals and dry food items, was able to preserve 398,852 meals, from which 247,219 benefited -- 38,341 workers and 38,341 families (cumulative numbers).
The center also distributed more than 58,799 tonnes of vegetables and fruits, as well as 29,545 kg of fresh and frozen meat, 21,411 kg of rice, and 5,784 kg of flour. It also distributed 106,281 kg of dates, and approximately 332,670 liters of water, juices and soft drinks.
The Charitable Warehouse Department, which is responsible for receiving furniture, electrical and electronic devices at the center, received 15,229 pieces of furniture, 1,636 electrical devices, 2,766 computers, and approximately 69 tonnes of clothing, which were distributed to workers and needy families after studying the submitted cases.
The number of beneficiaries of in-kind donations reached 238 families and workers. The center also offered the remainder for sale at symbolic prices to families with limited income, which helped the center develop its work and expand the circle of benefit from its activities and services.
The center has implemented many projects within its seasonal programmes, where it supervised the Iftar for 104,820 fasting people during the holy month of Ramadan (more than half of them with support from the Sheikh Eid Charitable Foundation).
The center also distributed 2,000 food coupons under the slogan of the Giving Basket in cooperation withthe General Administration of Endowments of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs for the needy families registered with the center.
As for the Zakat al-Fitr project, the partnership continued with the Zakat Affairs Department of the Ministry of Endowments for the fifth consecutive year, which in turn provided 2,500 large baskets of grains to the families, in addition to 5,863 baskets for workers. This isin addition to receiving zakat from donors of grains, which amounted to 18,020 kg, benefiting 1,802 workers and families. The center, through the support of Sheikh Eid Charity Foundation, distributed 1,280 sacrificial animals to 2,560 needy families registered in the center’s social research records and whose cases were studied. The sacrificial animals were distributed at the main Widam points in the areas of Al Wakra, Al Sailiya, and Umm Salal, in addition to receiving 547 a kilo of sacrificial meat from donors benefited 182 workers.
In terms of partnerships, the center has supported many partnerships that aim to achieve social responsibility from participating companies. One of the most important partnerships that was activated this year was the Solidarity Initiative for Food Sustainability in cooperation with Al Rayyan Municipality.
This initiative aims to focus first on Combating food waste and loss, achieving balance in the distribution of food stocks, and creating a more sustainable development system and social solidarity in an effort to achieve food security for all segments of society and contribute to raising awareness of the importance of food sustainability to protect society and its gains. The center also concluded a cooperation agreement with La Cigale Hotel to collect The surplus and its distribution to those entitled to it.
Commenting on the report, Eng Ali Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director of the Food Preservation Center, said: “This year, we have achieved great accomplishments, thanks to God Almighty, and then with the support of our partners and the local community. We seek to develop our policies and expand our services to reach more beneficiaries. We call on all institutions and individuals to support our efforts to achieve Qatar Vision 2030 in promoting social solidarity and preserving the environment.”
Al-Qahtani praised the role of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, represented by the General Administration of Endowments and the Zakat Fund, as well as the Ministry of Municipality, represented by Al Rayyan Municipality and the Department of Agricultural Affairs, as they were among the most important partners and supporters of the center this year.
Al-Qahtani stressed the importance of continuing to develop initiatives aimed at combating food waste and expanding the circle of beneficiaries in a way that achieves sustainable development and enhances food security in the country.
