The Food Preservation Society distributes 22,000 meals at the Prophet's Mosque during Ramadan
The Food Bank Association in Madinah achieved a remarkable accomplishment during the first five days of Ramadan 1447 AH, successfully collecting and redistributing large quantities of surplus Iftar food from the Prophet's Mosque. This effort is part of the association's ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, promoting a culture of gratitude for blessings, and ensuring the optimal use of food resources in a professional and hygienic manner.
Accurate statistics on the efforts of the first days
The association revealed in its statistical report that its field teams successfully collected approximately 22,638 surplus meals. These efforts were not limited to main meals but also included a variety of food items typically served at Iftar (the breaking of the fast) in the Prophet's Mosque, where the following were salvaged:
- 17,250 A container of yogurt.
- 17,172 A bottle of water.
- 98,777 A bread packet.
- 15,796 Date envelope.
- 16,185 A packet of dukkah (the famous city spices).
- 15,596 A package of maamoul cookies.
- 1,900 A packet of pastries.
The association estimated the market value of these foods that were preserved during this short period at 203,742 riyals , reflecting the significant economic impact of recycling surplus food instead of wasting it.
The social and spiritual dimension of the Prophet's Mosque tables
These efforts are particularly important given the spatial and temporal context; the Prophet's Mosque witnesses millions of gatherings during Ramadan, and the world's longest iftar table is set up there. This deeply rooted Islamic generosity necessitates, in turn, tremendous organizational efforts to ensure that surplus food does not become waste—a vital role played by the "Preserving Blessings" Association. Preserving food in these sacred places is not merely an act of charity, but rather an act of glorifying God's rituals, respecting the sanctity of the place, and ensuring that this bounty reaches other deserving individuals outside the mosque.
Volunteer efforts in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
A total of 160 volunteers participated in this campaign , contributing a total of 2,509 volunteer hours . The teams were equipped with 8 vehicles for transportation and 250 kits for collection and field organization.
These figures are perfectly aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers and enhance the efficiency of the non-profit sector. The work carried out by the association in cooperation with relevant authorities at the Prophet's Mosque represents a model of integration between different sectors to serve pilgrims, promote social solidarity, and protect the environment from the effects of food waste.
