100 Emiratis hand out food boxes to workers in UAE

The initiative highlighted the importance of lending a helping hand.

More than 100 Emiratis of all ages came together on Wednesday to pack thousands of food boxes to distribute to workers across Abu Dhabi.
The heartwarming initiative, which took place at Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal, was part of the Abu Dhabi Volunteers 2020 Forum that fell on International Volunteering Day on December 5. Volunteers filled the boxes with packets of flour, sugar, juice, beans, bread and pasta, among others.
Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said: "This beautiful day indicates that the UAE is taking a step forward on International Volunteering Day - a day which is about taking good care of individuals and communities."
Besides the volunteer activity, the event also mapped out the plans for the World Volunteer Conference, the largest global gathering of volunteering experts and practitioners that will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2020.
Taking place for the first time in the Middle East, the conference will be hosted by Emirates Foundation and is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, representing the volunteer community worldwide. It will be a milestone conference as it will also mark the 50^th anniversary of the International Association of Volunteering Effort.
"We are working hard to promote the culture of volunteering, and this is why Abu Dhabi has been chosen to host the conference," Buhumaid said.
"We are not just focusing on Emiratis to volunteer. Volunteerism is also for expats and we want to help increase the number of volunteers across the country," she added.
Kylee Bates, world president of IAVE, said: "It was very important for us to think about what would be a very powerful message for our 50^th year anniversary - and the diversity in the UAE is a powerful message."
One of the volunteers at the event, Ahmed, told Khaleej Times that the initiative highlighted the importance of lending a helping hand.
"Giving five minutes of your time might not make a big difference to your day, but it might change the entire day for someone in need," he said.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi