Reach Out To Asia (Rota) has this week distributed grocery items for some 200 families in need under its Ramadan 2013 Project.
Around 80 Rota volunteers packed the bulk groceries and distributed the packets to needy families in Qatar from July 13 to 16. Rota’s Ramadan 2013 Project is sponsored by Oxy Qatar.
The groceries  distributed by Rota volunteers included rice, oil, milk and flour. By the time all the groceries were distributed, the volunteers had given out basic food items for 200 families and donated 12 hours to help the less fortunate members of society.
Rota executive director Essa al-Mannai said, “Rota’s Ramadan 2013 Project seeks to provide essential food items to the society’s least fortunate individuals, who suffer day in and day out from their economic, social and personal conditions. We would also like to say a special thank you to our partners who have made our Ramadan 2013 Project possible and also thank the volunteers for their hard work.”
“I wanted to help people”, said Kamran Safdar, a volunteer who took part in the distribution activity. “I wanted to see what they need. I wanted to be a part of the community. I think the best thing is the moment when you give things to people in need. There is no feeling like that.”
Steve Kelly, president and general manager of Oxy Qatar, said in a statement: “Oxy Qatar is delighted once again to support Rota’s Ramadan 2013 Project as part of its commitment to engaging with the community to help improve the lives of the less fortunate. Rota’s volunteering activities are a great example of community engagement that results in positive impact on people’s lives.”
The Volunteer Programme worked with Social Development Centre to identify families to include on the distribution list. Oxy Qatar’s sponsorship covered the costs of the bulk groceries for this activity, supplemented by food products supplied by the government upon request.