KUWAIT: Meshal Al-Ansari, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Food Bank (left), and Ahmed Al-Bannai, KASCO's Chairman of the Board attend the press conference. - Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Kuwaiti businessman Bader Al-Kharafi, Kuwait Food Bank signed a joint cooperation agreement with Kuwait Aviation Services Company (KASCO) yesterday at the food bank's headquarters in Kuwait City to provide meals and fresh food items to needy families. During the press conference, Meshal Al-Ansari, Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Food Bank, said the agreement is based on the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to continue charity and humanitarian work in Kuwait.

 

He added that the bank aims to be one of the first to serve the needy internationally, regionally and globally by providing food and basic needs to beneficiaries through a structured system. It also aims to increase awareness in the community over reducing wastage of food and provide assistance to less fortunate families.

 

KASCO is one of the leading providers of food services in the private sector. He pointed out that the food bank will deliver fresh KASCO meals to needy families on a daily or weekly basis in order to cover all areas in Kuwait. "KASCO's products are considered to be of the best and highest quality in the region, and very nutritious too," Ansari said. He stressed that this joint agreement will strengthen the bank's contributions to the food sector through the provision and distribution of best food products to needy families.

 

Ansari told Kuwait Times that needy families can apply through the food bank's website, where their cases will be studied to provide the right program for them. "Kuwait Food Bank will not only support families with food supplies, but will also have several programs to create new jobs for the community and motivate all segments of society to volunteer. The food bank will try to treat the problem of thirst and hunger and contribute to relief campaigns for famines, wars and disasters around the world," he said. Ansari revealed that Kuwait Food Bank will expand in other Gulf countries through partnership with food banks there.

 

Kuwait Food Bank has signed a number of agreements with major food companies in Kuwait, including the distribution of coupons for basic foodstuff for 5,700 needy families. It also signed a contract with Quaker, a multinational international company that specializes in food products. It also provides for clothing and blankets to the needy in winter.

 

KASCO Chairman Ahmed Nasser Al-Bannai said this agreement is in compliance with the values of Islam, and follows the call by His Highness the Amir in support of charity work. "We hope that our company to be at the forefront of charitable activities," he said. Bannai expressed satisfaction that the deal will benefit the labor sector in Kuwait, especially low-income households. "The partnership reflects our commitment to good work, especially among the less-fortunate families in Kuwait."

 

Bannai said KASCO is one of the leading food companies specialized in the preparation and delivery of meals and buffets. The company produces more than 40,000 meals for more than 81 carriers in all levels required.

 

Notably, Kharafi established Kuwait Food Bank in 2016 in order to reduce food waste and help families in need by providing them with basic foodstuff and other items. Kuwait Food Bank accepts donations by sending an SMS with the amount of money you are donating (KD 1, KD 5 or KD 10) to the following numbers (Viva at 50487 and Zain at 94122) or through the website www.kuwaitfoodbank.org.

 

By Faten Omar