On the occasion of the UN’s International Day of Families, and with the collaboration of the UN Information Centre – Beirut represented by Acting Director, Ms. Marguerite Helou, and National Information Officer, Ms. Cynthia Khoury, BASSMA launched its second "World Family Month campaign" to help families in need, with the support of Nancy Ajram, during a press conference held on the 10th of May.
The press conference took place at VOX Cinemas, City Centre Beirut, and guest speakers were: former Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Me. ZIYAD BAROUD, Ms. Fernand Abi-Haidar, representant of the Minister of Social Affairs and Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry, Mrs. Sandra Klat Abdelnour, Founding President of BASSMA, Miss Maria Abou-Sakr, Board member of Bassma, and Mr. Sleiman Mallat, First Director, City Centre Beirut.
While Mrs. Klat Abdelnour highlighted the importance of empowering and celebrating families in our society nowadays, Me. Ziyad Baroud spoke about the families’ poor economic conditions. He continued by speaking about the significant impact of NGOs such as BASSMA in fighting hunger and poverty in Lebanon.
Ms. Fernand Abi-Haidar spoke about the partnership between the Ministry and the civil society.
The Meal-For-Meal initiative is held for the second time, after a successful run last year. The initiative involves the donation of a meal for every meal ordered by a customer at the partner restaurants all throughout the month of May. That in mind, last year’s campaign managed to provide 2,000 hot meals to 500 families. This year’s partnering restaurants are: Casper & Gambini's - ABC Achrafieh, The Beirut Cellar, Olio Pizzeria,Diwan Beirut, L'OS - Ain Saade, and McDonald's.
Also at City Centre Beirut, Carrefour joins the World Family Month campaign and BASSMA’s cause with its “Family-Size Love” initiative, where the proceeds of items marked with a special sticker will go to helping BASSMA’s families.
In addition, Live Love Laugh also launched their initiative that will be active over the months of May, June and July, where 25% of the proceeds of purchased items will be going to BASSMA. The initiative falls in line with Live Love Laugh For A Cause’s culture of continuous giving. Also in light of BASSMA’s World Family Month, Retail Group has offered its customers the opportunity to help families in need by donating with every purchase.