CAIRO: Each of us is certainly capable of an act or acts of charity. Whether you're overcome by compassion for the poor or if your alms-giving is inspired by a sense of religious obligation, you just walk to the closest charity society or box or access their bank accounts to give as much as you can afford. When doing this, we remain convinced that we have done our part and God will reward us., even when those donations don't always reach the people who really need them. In an effort to achieve constructive distribution of the millions pouring into the coffers of charity organizations, 25 Egyptian investors and businessmen set up the Egyptian Food Bank in 2005. According to reports, the founders have raised enough money to provide food to 4 million Egyptians who are reportedly living under the poverty line, under the bank's slogan "Hand in Hand Against Starvation. The bank has received donations of LE 5 million, offered in kind or as bank deposits. This is the first bank of its kind where donations come in the form of grain, meat, poultry and other types of food. It's a new and original concept in the non-governmental sector. Imagine the huge amounts of leftovers dumped by big hotels, restaurants and banquet halls. Thanks to Food Bank's initiative, the destiny of these leftovers is no longer the trash bin. The bank takes care of repackaging this food and distributing it to the needy in deprived areas. But leftovers are only part of the work. Hotels and other places that maintain food stores are also invited to donate in kind, giving the portion of stored items that will no longer serve a purpose. The Food Bank's work is multiple and diversified. Just click on www.egyptianfoodbank.com to get an insight into the bank's policies and activities. If you don't have an internet connection, you can call 16060 to reach the bank's hotline where you will be provided information on how to make your own donations. "When the bank launched we were obsessed with the idea that there are a lot of charities, donations and potential givers that didn't know where to turn their intentions into practice, said Wafa Toulon, the bank's media consultant. "The solution came in the shape of the need for a thorough database to ensure that all the needy are getting their share of charity. She noted: "We began with the Eid sacrifice. Imagine, people in the one district could make as many sacrifices as you can count. The beneficiaries turn out to be the same [people] who call on houses to receive their share at each home. "Each of the poor ends up accumulating several bags of meat when others in remote areas don't taste meat all year. Our plans have therefore started by focusing on the Eid sacrifices. Instead of sacrificing at home, many people sent donations to us so that we made the sacrifice on their behalf. By doing so we have been able to ship the meat where it was really needed. The Food Bank's policy has been a breakthrough; their donations now reach thousands of poor people countrywide through their connections with 134 charity organizations that cover 22 governorates. Every month 10,000 families receive food bags that are filled with all an average family would need. Toulon remarked: "But we have made a point of founding all these works on a purely scientific basis. Like in any bank, we have inquiry and operations units. The bank's research team is tracking down those in need of assistance, creating a list by priority. These could include the orphaned families, families with elderly fathers, others with limited incomes or handicapped children. "Besides the role played by our research team, our work depends for the most part on our link with the charities that provide us with the data on crowds of poor people living in slums, orphanages and elderly people's homes. Toulon added: "Also, the content of the food bag was based on studies conducted by nutritionists and other specialists. Likewise, the distribution highlights those who remain in obscurity. Toulon stressed that the bank's target remains the very low income brackets. She explained that the bank has realized the necessity of being updated on the best ways to secure food for the starving. "For example, after Eid El Adha was over and all the sacrifices were distributed we realized that we still had a big surplus. Instead of dumping it, we contracted specialized factories that cooked the meat along with vegetables and canned it so as to use the canned meals when necessary. "We're doing our best to be present with donation boxes in big shopping malls and other frequented places, but we have to work on getting the relevant permission. As for the well-to-do districts, we are planning to promote the bank in these areas.
