Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH – The Charity Warehouse in Madinah has distributed 140,000 meals in the first week of Ramadan (20,000 meals daily) among pilgrims and visitors in the Prophet’s Mosque.

The program has been implemented by the charity’s gift project for pilgrims and visitors.

A senior official of the charity, who requested anonymity, told Saudi Press Agency that it would distribute more than 400,000 packets of Iftar meals during the fasting month.

“This is a seasonal project being carried by the Charity Warehouse for pilgrims and visitors who visit Madinah during the holy month,” the official said.

“We also distribute Iftar meals among people in nearby villages,” he added.

He said the charity has recruited 120 volunteers and trained them to distribute Iftar meals in a professional manner. “They pack and distribute 20,000 meals daily.”

Eighty volunteers are involved in packing the meals while 40 engage in distribution. Moreover, 10 officials have been appointed to supervise and administer the project.

Speaking about the charity’s additional services this year, the official said: “We distribute Iftar meals at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and at the tent for receiving pilgrims and visitors along the Hijrah Road.”

The charity’s branch in Wadi Al-Fara is in charge of distributing Iftar meals at the airport and the tent. “We also distribute meals at Aliyat petrol station along the Riyadh expressway with the support of Hanakiya branch,” he said.

The charity has a distribution point along the Tabuk Road, which is supervised by the Khaibar branch. Distribution of Iftar meals in Yanbu airport and Yanbu Islamic Port is supervised by the society’s branch in Yanbu Al-Bahar.

“The Charity Warehouse has given utmost importance to its Iftar project,” the official said.

“We have been distributing quality food products to help pilgrims and others break their fast during this holy month,” he said and urged businessmen and philanthropists to support the charity in order to carry out this humanitarian service in an effective and successful manner.