Kraft Foods, Employees once again answer the call of giving back to communities all over the world as they celebrate the company’s third annual global week of service called ‘Delicious Difference Week’. The initiative was in line with Kraft Foods’ ongoing commitment to create stronger, more sustainable communities around the world.
With the sheer passion to make a positive difference and meet the needs of communities across the globe, some 30,000 employees undertook over 700 projects that aim to fight hunger and promote healthy lifestyles. Held in collaboration with hundreds of volunteer organizations worldwide, these activities ranged from food donation drives to planting community gardens, cleaning up parks and helping the elderly.
In the Kingdom of Bahrain, where one of Kraft Foods’ main manufacturing facilities in the Middle East is based, more than 60 employees, in collaboration with the Bahrain Red Crescent, put together a two-day event to educate school children on the importance of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. The sessions involved educating children on healthy food options and getting them involved in healthy lifestyle sessions. The employees of Kraft Foods Bahrain WLL were joined by their colleagues from the company’s neighboring Saudi Arabian offices and factories in Dammam.
Held at the Bahrain Red Crescent’s auditorium, the two-day community service event saw employees volunteer their time off work to involve the school children in educational activities to fight hunger, promote nutrition and lead active lives. The 50 school children who were from Red Crescent sponsored schools Dar Al Tafel Manama and Dar Al Tafel Budaya respectively, were immersed in a range of creative activities including food pyramid lectures, jigsaw puzzles with fruits and vegetables, a plantation drive with Kraft Foods and Red Crescent officials, teaching children to prepare quick and healthy snacks, as well as a variety of fun games to keep them active and energetic.
“An essential part of being a global corporate business is being a global corporate citizen. Giving back to the community has always been part of Kraft Foods culture and mission, and this global week of service is our way of delivering on our promise to make a delicious difference in our communities”, said Terry Denton, Kraft Foods Bahrain Plant Director.
“This is the third year that Kraft Foods is celebrating Delicious Difference Week, and it is truly one of the largest global employee volunteer initiatives. Last year our employees contributed nearly 155,000 volunteer hours and this year we anticipate some 200,000 hours from employees in 60 countries around the world. As our Chairman and CEO, Irene Rosenfeld, rightfully put it we are unleashing the power of our global workforce to make a real difference in the communities where we live and work”, he added.
“The Healthy Kids Festival” organized by Kraft Foods Bahrain is a strong example of how a global company is integrating itself into the Bahraini society. We feel proud to be part of initiatives like this one that give us the opportunity to contribute to our community in a positive way”, said Ali Jassim, SS&E Supervisor, Kraft Foods Bahrain
“We believe that education is an extremely powerful tool to ensure that growing children understand the value of nutrition and activities related to their health. All children have the right to a good living. Kraft Foods is a true example of a multinational company that reaches out to the underprivileged members of the society and bring light to their lives,” Sadiq Al Shehabi, Secretary General for Bahrain Red Crescent, said.
Kraft Foods has taken a stand to fight hunger and promote healthy lifestyle. Through the Kraft Foods Foundation, the company has donated more than $1 billion in cash and food to hunger-relief organizations over the past 25 years. Through support of local NGO partners, the company and Foundation support programs in 46 countries and on almost every continent.