It will provide hot bread to those in need and will be installed in various spots throughout the city. When Khaleej Times visited an Aswaaq location in Al Quoz 2, one individual waiting at the vending machine commented, “This would assist me to save the money I had set aside to buy bread for dinner.”
The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC) initiated the effort to assist impoverished families and workers by delivering free bread at various times of the day.
Customers can pick between Arabic bread and finger rolls at this location. Once they’ve made their choice, a pop-up window asks if they need any bread. The machine starts creating hot bread when you click “Click to Order,” and it is ready to be served in about a minute.
When the first breakout of COVID-19 happened, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that “In the UAE, no one sleeps hungry or in need.”
According to Zainab Juma Al Tamimi, Director of MBRGCEC, “This programme intends to improve the idea of sustainability in humanitarian work and spread social solidarity in society.” She also acknowledged that more vending machines were being considered. After six months, there is a proposal to expand to Dubai and other emirates.
Those who want to donate can select an amount starting at Dh10 by clicking the donate button on the machine. Then, they can swipe their credit or debit card on the cash register.
