Coca-Cola donates SR 1.19 m to Ensan

Beverage giant Coca-Cola donated SR 1.192 million to the Charitable Society for Orphans’ Care (Ensan) in Riyadh yesterday.
Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the executive committee of Ensan and SRMG chairman, received the check on behalf of Ensan from Abdullah Al-Arrak, assistant general manager of Coca-Cola Saudi Arabia, at the SRMG headquarters in Riyadh.
The event took place at the Saudi Distribution Company in the presence of senior officials from Ensan, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Saudi Arabia and the orphaned children who are being supported through the companies’ continuous partnership.
“The partnership between Coca-Cola and Ensan is dedicated to spreading happiness and joy among underprivileged children and has continued to do so for five consecutive years. Our partnership with Ensan is very dear to us and we look forward to a continuous and successful partnership moving forward,” Al-Arrak said.
Last year, Al-Arrak said his company gave SR 750,000 to Ensan, and he is happy that this year the company is able to enhance this donation to a handsome amount. He pointed out that the jump was solely due to the increase in the company’s market share as a result of the rapidly growing economy of the Kingdom. He also attributed the increase in Saudi population to the enhanced revenues of the company.
In addition to its partnership with Ensan, Coca-Cola launched several Ramadan initiatives throughout the last several years and partnered with the regional Food Bank to provide 1 million parcels of dry foods to orphans and deserving families across the region.
Coca-Cola and Ensan have spearheaded several holiday campaigns in the country over the last few years, particularly the Ramadan initiatives.
“Coca-Cola is dedicated toward spreading happiness, positivity and optimism into the lives of orphans and Coca-Cola fans alike,” Al-Arrak said, indicating that the company’s annual budget for charities had reached $ 1 million in the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Shehri, public relations manager of Ensan, said: “We truly appreciate the ongoing support and commitment from Coca-Cola over the last few years. Ensan provides care and support to the orphans and their families with the generous support from Prince Faisal bin Salman and organizations such as Coca-Cola. The proceeds today will be used to upgrade our facilities and provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure our orphans develop solid skill sets to enhance their everyday lives.”
Ensan Fund-raising Manager Tariq Al-Eshaiwi said that Ensan looks after 40,000 orphans and widows in 8,500 families in the Riyadh region. “We have 12 branches, including five in the city and seven in the suburbs,” Al-Eshaiwi said.
He explained that the organization has embarked on a 50-year strategy, which would create an Ensan branch in each city in the Kingdom. He pointed out that Ensan looks after all the expenses of the adopted families, such as food, shelter, education, clothes and other basic needs.
Recently, he said, Forbes Middle East had given an award to Ensan for the high degree of transparency maintained by the organization.