Thousands of low-income bachelor expats mourn the end of Ramadan every year since these workers, living in Jeddah and other cities, are fully dependent on community meals offered by mosques for breaking their fast.

Expats often take leftover boxes to have before dawn, thus saving up on food expenses for the entire month.

Philanthropists and charity organizations offer Ramadan meals to the less fortunate in thousands of mosques across the Kingdom, in addition to massive meals programs that are organized in major cities.

Goody boxes include a portion of cooked rice and a quarter chicken, apple or orange, a small bottle of yogurt or juice, a bottle of water, a samosa pastry and a few other snacks.

The food, distributed at mosques, is generally supplied by philanthropists, according to organizers.

“I don’t cook at all during Ramadan, as I am fully dependent on these parcels for both my meals,” Mohammed Najeeb, an Indian driver living in the Prince Fawaz district, told Arab News.

“Although food expenses increase for families during the month of Ramadan, ours, thankfully, are canceled,” said Abul Qasim Haq, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in the Safa district.

“It is pointless spending money on food during Ramadan,” said Mohammed Mustafa, a Pakistani working with a maintenance company.

“We overeat and gain weight free of charge,” joked Mushtaq Malik, another Pakistani who also lives in the Hamra district.

Arab and African expats also miss Ramadan.