30,000 Kraft Foods employees from 60 countries gear up for the largest Global Volunteer Service Effort

Employees from the world’s second largest food company, Kraft Foods, 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’. Being held between October 3 and 8 this year, the initiative is 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 will undertake over 700 projects that aim to fight hunger and promote healthy lifestyles. Held in collaboration with hundreds of volunteer organizations worldwide, these activities will range from food donation drives to planting community gardens, cleaning up parks and helping the elderly.

In Dubai, where Kraft Foods GCC and Middle East New Markets is headquartered, some 150 employees from UAE and Saudi Arabia put together 5,500 food packages in aid of global relief efforts to help victims of the devastating famine and floods in Somalia and Pakistan respectively. The much needed food supplies, which consist of nourishing and wholesome products including the cocoa beverage Bournvita, Belvita bran, Oreo biscuits and Kraft Cheddar Cheese, will be distributed to each country via the UAE Red Crescent, a key partner organization for the company’s year round community-related efforts.

“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 Vishal Tikku, Managing Director Kraft Foods GCC. 

“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 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.

Mr. Mohammed Al Zaroni, Manager of Dubai Branch of UAE Red Crescent said, “Our organization is committed to supporting humanitarian efforts where they are needed most, regardless of whether the need is local or abroad. At the moment, the need is greatest in Somalia and Pakistan where famine and floods have left millions of people in a state of extreme destitution. We are working relentlessly to send aid to these countries and we are very thankful that large multinationals such as Kraft Foods are supporting our relief efforts”.