The Giving Family was founded by Fadi Musallet and Sabrina Rabhi in 2017 with the goal to share 100-500 meal packs with Dubai labour workforce. As the story spread, and with each year awareness building around the efforts of the campaign, The Giving Family has grown to the point where 2024 saw 350,000 meals distributed during the 30 days of Ramadan, and recognition coming from Dubai Police and the Ministry of Human Resources.
Musallet and Rabhi saw the lack of nutritious food for those in the industrial areas of Dubai, and they wanted to make sure that those fasting could get themselves a healthy, balanced, and satisfying meal after a day of fasting. The campaign forms a spirit of compassion and community for the people of Dubai who want to do more.
Speaking on the campaign, and the support they’re looking for, Musallet, said: “we’ve diversified the campaign so that individuals can donate towards the meals, or be part of the packing and distribution chain, as well as companies being able to buy packages, or hosting team building sessions as part of the month’s activities. All the volunteers and corporates that have joined us over the last eight years, have made the results possible, and have had a significant impact on spreading the information, getting involved and being part of the community.”
Highlighting the power of community, Rabhi, said: “the number of people that have gotten involved from such diverse backgrounds, the growth of awareness and endorsements from other bodies, such as Dubai Police and the Ministry of Human Resources, as well as winning the Emirates Labour Market Award have all served to demonstrate the compassion and kindness of the wider community”.
With each meal costing AED 10 to put together, including a chicken biryani, a Laban, fresh fruit and dates the mobilisation of teams to put together the meals packs and then provide the distribution in an organised and respectful manner towards the people receiving the packages. Additionally, The Giving Family is providing collection for people wishing to donate previously loved clothes for men, women, and children, as well as children’s toys.
The Ramadan 2025 Iftar Distribution Campaign will start from the first day of Ramadan and people looking for details on how to get involved can check the website: https://www.thegivingfamily.org/ or through Instagram on: https://www.instagram.com/thegivingfamily# or on WhatsApp at +971 52 9096050 Musallet concluded: “There’s plenty to get involved with, and we encourage anyone, 7 years and older, whether they’re private citizens, businesses, social groups, or just looking to give of their time and compassion to join us in helping feed these workers who do so much in building, servicing and contributing to our society. Let us meet this goal of 500,000 meals for 2025!”
