DUBAI: All 150 community fridges installed in Dubai for Ramadan can now be located on Google Maps.
Australian expat Summaya Sayed, who’s behind the Ramadan Sharing Fridges initiative, said the interactive map will help people find where they can donate food and drinks for the needy.
“Dubai residents are very generous when it comes to giving back to the community. It was in 2016 when I first put a fridge stocked with food and water outside my house during Ramadan. Who would have thought it would become such a massive community movement with nearly 30,000 people joining the campaign voluntarily,” said the mother of two.
Taking turns
Canadian expat Sheren Abbas, who is responsible for the fridge in Jumeirah Park, said, “Electronic store Better Life has donated 20 fridges this year. One of them has been placed in my community and I have volunteered to take care of it. I also have a personal fridge that I placed in the community last year and my neighbours helped me refill it. We take turns to ensure that the fridge is replenished four times daily - before and after iftar, before Fajr prayers and late night.”
The group has also launched an art initiative to make the fridges easily visible. “Some of the fridges weren’t too obvious. So we said, why not paint them?” said organiser Rosan Reodica Juan.
All you need to know about the community fridges
1. How to adopt a fridge?
Send a message to info@ramadansharingfridges.org. You will receive an email detailing how to go about it. Once you get the fridge you are required to set it up and share its location on Google Maps. The fridge should be put in a place where it is easily accessible to workers.
2. How many times is the fridge refilled?
Ten to 15 times daily. Each fridge caters to around 100-200 people and contains meal packs, fruits, water and juice bottles, laban, dry fruits and biscuits.
3. How can you locate a fridge near you?
Follow Ramadan Sharing Fridges on social media for latest updates Ramadan/Sharing Fridges in the UAE on Facebook, @ramadanfridgesdxb on Instagram and @ramadanfridges on Twitter.
4. What food items are allowed?
Drinks (juices and soda) water, laban, fruit (bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, watermelon in portions) and vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions). Dry food such as dry fruits (dates), biscuits, nuts and crisps can also be added.
