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Local businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Bahrain have been finding ways to raise money for the struggling country, even as they themselves struggle to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last Tuesday, Lebanon’s capital Beirut was shaken by two explosions of ammonium nitrate, destroying homes, vehicles and property across the city and killing more than 150 people and causing more than USD 10 billion (BD4 billion) of damage.
Vegan café Raw Candy raised over BD300 from ice-cream proceeds on Saturday for the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC).
Raw Candy’s marketing and front-of-house manager Olivia Middleton told GulfWeekly: “The community were a huge part of our motivation. We are inspired daily by the people of this region who always come together as one to support one another in times of need. Plus, food makes people happy! It brings us together and ice cream always adds that extra smile onto a person’s face, so it made sense to have ice cream be the integral part of our donation day. We hope to create ongoing support and awareness going forward and potentially a similar event in the next few weeks.”
The Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) also launched its “Bahrain helps Beirut” campaign, aiming to collect donations and providing relief, medical, health and psychological support for those affected by the ordeal.
BRCS is taking donations on its bank account, IBAN BH71NBOB00000099071185 or through BenefitPay on mobile number 39051933.
Local restaurant Chef & The Whale organised a breakfast last Saturday, where all takings were donated to the LRC.
Steve McGowan, chef and owner at Chef & The Whale said: “Chef and the Whale consider all our customers our extended family – we are all one community – so when we saw the events that unfolded in Lebanon, we knew we had to do something to help. We held a fundraiser on Saturday where you came in to pick up breakfast and paid what you wished. All takings from that breakfast, not just profits will be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross.
“So far we have raised over BD2,700, and we are still accepting donations at our shop until the end of the week.”
The Lebanese Bakery also raised funds for the #SupportLebanon efforts, donating 100 per cent of Saturday’s sales to rebuild their home city and Vedge Bahrain contributed all profits from desserts over the weekend to LRC efforts. The QPQ is also donating 27pc of its sales this week to Beirut’s explosion disaster relief.
Little Black Caravan (TLBC) is donating 15pc of each order this week to LRC.
Basma Alkhayer, 33, founder of TLBC, added: “Even though we are just a small local food truck, we still felt the need to show our solidarity with the situation in Lebanon.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for small local businesses like ours, but we thought that doesn’t discount our human side and we should donate a part of our sales even if it’s not a big amount to the Lebanese Red Cross. What matters is the intention and at this level every dinar counts! We are very grateful that our friends in the business supported the matter and supported us. This will continue until next Saturday and we cannot be more grateful for all the supporters that helped in so many wonderful ways.”
Fitness coach Maria Azraq organised a virtual class on Monday, with the proceeds (BD2 per person) going to the LRC, raising more than BD100 within three days.
Neo Books and Coffee will be donating 25pc of all sales from its children’s books until next Sunday to the Children’s Cancer Centre of Lebanon.
GulfWeekly has curated a list of Lebanese not-for-profit organisations that are supporting individuals and families during this crisis. Scan the QR Code to donate to these efforts. We encourage you to make a regular contribution, if possible, since it will take time and considerable resources to rebuild the country.
