THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

GULF pledges 120,000 free meals to boost community strength

GULF pledges 120,000 free meals to boost community strength

Building on success and positive feedback from its seven-day pilot project to provide meals to communities, Gulf Energy Development Public Co Ltd (GULF) has decided to continue with the initiative and increased its pledge from 2,000 sets daily to 2,500 sets. It aims to distribute more than 120,000 overall in communities around Bangkok. 

The meals will be delivered to community leaders, who will then distribute it among residents, with a special focus on the elderly, disabled, bedridden people as well as the poor and families with young children. 
The project, which will run for 50 days, will be adjusted or expanded on a weekly basis to ensure that the food reaches communities in all 50 districts of the capital. 

GULF pledges 120,000 free meals to boost community strength
“After our seven-day pilot project, the company saw that the meal boxes were really reaching those who need this support. Many families have lost their source of income and are struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, a single meal box for those who need it the most can become priceless as it gives them the strength to fight another day. 
“In addition, distributing meals also indirectly boosts the economy because producing 2,000 to 3,000 meals a day uses a lot of ingredients. As a result, restaurant staff, farmers and small-scale logistics providers will continue to have income, which allows them to take care of themselves and their families,” said Sitamon Ratanavadi, GULF’s corporate social responsibility assistant on behalf of CEO Sarath Ratanavadi.
Wichian Sangploy, a community leader in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area, said: “Due to Covid-19, most people in the community have lost their jobs. So, we have initiated volunteer work for them, such as making cloth face masks and hand sanitisers to be shared within the community. These activities are also serving to relieve stress. 

GULF pledges 120,000 free meals to boost community strength
“The community wants to thank GULF for caring about people affected by this crisis. The project has really helped people who have difficulty finding food or cooking for themselves. The free food also benefits those who have lost their jobs, because not only does it fill their stomach it also helps them save money. Community leaders and teams survey groups of people who are in need of such support like young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the poor, and then distribute the meals fairly as they see appropriate.”
Natnicha Jaisamran (Matmai), a 9-year-old resident in Sathorn’s Baan Bab community, said happily: “I live with my family of eight, consisting of my dad, my mom, my grandma, my uncle, my aunt, my older brother, my younger brother and myself. Lately, I have been helping Auntie Pen [the community leader] make cloth face masks and pick up litter. GULF’s meal donation is especially good for my grandmother who cannot walk. During the pandemic, most shops close early, so I need to make food like Thai omelette for myself. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can treat people and contribute to society.
“Please keep doing what you do, you all are doing a great job,” she said.

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