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Helping hand for the needy

July 9 - 15, 2014
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Gulf Weekly Helping hand for the needy

Packages of kindness donated by big-hearted members of the community are being distributed to needy families across the kingdom by Red Leaf Trading Establishment - Teas Importers and Merchants, as part of The Palm Association’s Ramadan Food Drive.

GulfWeekly has linked up with The Palm Association to back the group’s annual campaign, which encourages shoppers, students and companies to donate parcels of non-perishable items.

Once collected, the boxes of goodies are then sent to Red Leaf Trading’s warehouse in Jid Ali for packaging and delivery.

Kalpna Patel, the company’s sales and marketing manager, said: “We have been working with The Palm Association for five years now.

“The Palm Association members have been working very hard and they make sure we deliver to the right people. They are amazing and we are very fortunate to be a part of this project and able to help make it successful.

“We feel honoured to be a part of it. Red Leaf Trading has been here since 1948 and we feel that this is a great way to give back to the community.”

The company, which also sources and purchases groceries at wholesale prices in the local markets, has been distributing packages of food for The Palm Association’s monthly Feed-a-Family Programme, which the Ramadan Drive is a part of.

Under the programme the charity champions deliver goods, valued at BD20, every month to Bahraini families facing difficult financial situations who are surviving on the bare minimum due to unforeseen or unfortunate circumstances such as the death of a spouse, loss of employment, divorce, accident, disability or illness.

During the year, the tea merchants and food importers distribute packages including rice, oil, tea, sugar, dal, milk powder, soup powder, salt, pasta, curry powder and meat cubes to 155 families in Bahrain.

And during the holy month, the donations double. Mrs Patel said: “During Ramadan, each family will receive two parcels. One package will feature the basic items and the second will also include the basics but with a few extra goodies such as dates, jelly, caramel and custard.

“As the lady of the house, I know what is needed in the family, especially during Ramadan. Our aim is to provide quality branded items to those that need it.”

The Palm Association is thrilled with Red Leaf Trading’s continuous support. Eibhlin Crosse, The Palm Association’s chairman, said: “Red Leaf Tea is The Palm Association’s most important sponsor. Not only do they take care of the logistics of delivering the monthly food parcels to our 155 families through our Feed-A-Family programme but they are genuinely committed and share our interest in the families we serve.

“They deliver always on time and report back to The Palm Association if they are concerned about a family who may need further assistance. Red Leaf Tea makes the Feed-A-Family programme a true partnership. We are indebted to them for all their help!”

For further details, email secretary@thepalmassociation.com or vicechairman@thepalmassociation.com
l You can support the campaign by donating selected items at participating Alosra and Al Jazeera stores.







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