5 things you can do to help people in Lebanon this Ramadan

Throughout the month of Ramadan, people show their weak side during fasting hours, their obsession with Vimto, or simply sleep their day away until iftar is ready.

While this holy month keeps us busy with friends and family gatherings, highly anticipated TV shows, and good food, we shouldn't forget about the spirituality and good deeds that accompany it.

To make a change this year, find out how you can help others who are in need of a hot iftar meal and some clothes to keep warm.

Here are some of the ways you can offer help this Ramadan:

Ajialouna is an award-winning Lebanese NGO that empowers women and provides the less fortunate with medical aid, food, and education.

In Ramadan of 2017, they broke the Guinness World Record for the longest iftar table.

From the comfort of your home, you can donate to empower a woman, pay for an orphan's iftar, and gift new Eid clothes those in need via this link.

This initiative aims to feed the poor in Lebanon by distributing food packages, and more importantly, raising awareness on dealing with leftovers. 

Even better, it is volunteer-driven, which means not only can you donate, but also kill time during the day by volunteering with them.

This NGO and member of the Regional Food Banking Network in Dubai provides food on a daily basis to families and individuals in need.

They collect excess food from partner restaurants, hotels, caterers, supermarkets, and fruit, vegetables, and food exporters/importers and deliver them to over 70 NGO partners. You can donate to help them keep going.

In Ramadan 2017, the Shams Network team distributed 800-1000 meals every day to the poor residing in Sabra and Shatila camp in Beirut. 

This year, the initiative is moving to a remote area, one that is nowhere to be found on the map: Al-Faour village, which is located in the eastern Beqaa Valley... and you can help them accomplish this mission.

The initiative will offer food to the Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian refugees who live in this village, while using minimal plastic and good recycling!

While this option sounds like a no-brainer, very few of us think of donating food to homeless people.

Although food surplus is inevitable during Ramadan, packaging and donating this food is a simple act with great impact.