Building upon the success and positive feedback surrounding the 7-day pilot project to provide meal boxes to communities, Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited or GULF continues the initiative, increasing the number of pre-packed meal boxes to 2,500 sets per day (from 2,000 sets initially), pledging over 120,000 meal boxes which will be distributed to communities around Bangkok. Community leaders will receive the meal boxes and will distribute them to members of the community, focusing especially on the elderly, people with disabilities, bedridden individuals, the poor and families with young children to give strength to the communities while alleviating the difficulties these groups may face because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project covers a 50-day period with adjustments and expansions to distribution made on a weekly basis to ensure that the meals reach communities in all 50 districts of Bangkok.

“After our 7-day pilot project, the Company saw that the meal boxes really reached those who need this support. A number of families have lost their income while still struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, a single meal box for those who need them the most could become priceless as it gives them the strength to fight another day. In addition, distributing meals to local communities is a way to indirectly boost the economy because the production of 2,000-3,000 meal boxes per day requires many ingredients. As a result, restaurant staff, farmers and small-scale logistics providers will continue to have income, allowing them to take care of themselves and their families,” stated Mr. Sitamon Ratanavadi, Corporate Social Responsibility Assistant, on behalf of Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, Chief Executive Officer of GULF.

Mr. Wichian Sangploy, Community Leader from Charoenchai Nimitmai Community, Chatuchak expressed “As a result of COVID-19, the pandemic causes most people in the community to lose their jobs. We have initiated volunteer work for people in the community such as making cloth face masks and hand sanitizers to be distributed within the community. The activities could be a way to relieve stress. The community would like to thank GULF for caring about people affected from this situation. The project really helps people who have difficulties finding or cooking for themselves. The free food is also beneficial to the unemployed since it fulfills their hunger and helps them save money. Community leaders and team will survey the groups of people who are in need of such support like young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the poor, then distribute the meal fairly as they see appropriate.”

Natnicha Jaisamran (Matmai), a 9-year-old representative from Baan Bab Community, Sathorn, happily explained, “I live in Ban Bab neighborhood 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) with making cloth face masks and picking up litter. GULF’s meal donation is especially good for my grandmother who cannot walk. During the pandemic, most shops will close early so I need to cook food such as Thai omelet for myself. When I grow up, I would like to be a doctor, so I can treat patients and I want to be able to do good things and contribute to society.

“Please keep doing what you do, you all are doing a great job,” a 9-year-old girl encouraged GULF’s staff.