More than 100 Emiratis of all ages came together to pack thousands of food boxes to distribute to workers across Abu Dhabi, in aid of International Volunteering Day on December 5^th.

The heartwarming initiative, which took place at Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal, was part of the Abu Dhabi Volunteers 2020 Forum that coincided with International Volunteering Day.

Volunteers filled the boxes with packets of flour, sugar, juice, beans, bread and pasta, among other ingredients.

Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said: “This beautiful day indicates that the UAE is taking a step forward on International Volunteering Day – a day which is about taking good care of individuals and communities.”

She also spoke of the process in registering the volunteers via the national volunteering platform, volunteers.ae.

She added that volunteering is open for all senior Emiratis who wish to participate in community activities that would enhance their positive feelings and giving for the younger generations.

Besides the volunteer activity, the event also mapped out the plans for the World Volunteer Conference, the largest global gathering of volunteering experts and practitioners that will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2020.

Taking place for the first time in the Middle East, the conference will be hosted by Emirates Foundation and is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, representing the volunteer community worldwide. It will be a milestone conference as it will also mark the 50^th anniversary of the International Association of Volunteering Effort.