Care by CLES is an initiative launched by Carmen and Ray Debbane in the aftermath of the challenging times Lebanon has been facing on the economic front.

With the increasing levels of unemployment in the country, families are lacking the basic needs to survive and provide for their children. Care by CLES aims for the reduction of hunger by providing food and hygiene packages to families in need all over Lebanon. Each package includes 5 parcels of food, hygiene products, and kitchenware, that can last up to 6 weeks and more.

“Compassion is the new lifeline.”

“The situation in Lebanon today is missing a ray of hope that we can cling to, but compassion is playing a big role in rebuilding a shattered community and healing broken spirits.
Togetherness brings the citizens of Lebanon together,
And together, we rebuild each other”

Carmen Chahine Debbane

Care By CLES, an initiative by CLES to help the families affected by the economical situation in Lebanon, set up a crisis emergency unit to help quickly the affected families. The crisis emergency unit created a database and developed a needs assessment protocol to help as many people as possible.

With thousands of people displaced and with the influx of injuries, home rehabilitation, food, hygiene supplies, and psychological support are mandatory to help people heal faster as they try to recover from the physical and emotional trauma they have been subjected to.

What we do

With the help of CLES’s team and personnel, Care by CLES provides tangible solutions and support to Lebanese families in need, mostly around the communities where CLES centers operate.

Through its eight educational centers, CLES provides packages for the affected families. The centers are present in Beirut, Tripoli, Saida, Zouk, Nabatiyeh, Zahle, and Semkaniyeh.

Care by CLES initiative started originally through supporting the direct families of kids who get their special education at CLES’s centers and has grown to reach the surrounding communities.

With the hope to reach out to more families in need, CLES has joined forces with local, national and international NGOs.

Package Content

September – October 2023

  • 2 x  Spaghetti  (300g)
  • 2 x  Shell Pasta  (300g)
  • 2 x  White Flour  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Chickpeas (1kg)
  • 3 x  Rice  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Red Lentils  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Lentils  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Beans  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Halva  (454g)
  • 1 x  Apricot Jam  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Tahina (400g)
  • 1 x  Olive Oil  (0.75L)
  • 1 x Sunflower Oil  (1.8L)
  • 1 x Powdered Milk  (750g)
  • 2 x Sugar  (1kg)
  • 1 x Salt  (1kg)
  • 2 x Processed Cheese
  • 2 x Thyme  (400g)
  • 2 x Vermicelli  (500g)
  • 1 x Tea  
  • 1 x Chocolate cream   (350g)
  • 1 x Coarse Bulgur  (1kg)
  • 1 x Fine Bulgur  (1kg)
  • 1 x Biscuit Box  
  • 2 x Tomato Paste  (300g)
  • 2 x Tuna Cans  (340g)
  • 1 x Peas and carrots Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Corn Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Chicken Luncheon  (340g)
  • 1 x Coffee  (200g)
  • 1 x Pop Corn  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Laundry Powdered Detergent  (3kg)
  • 1 x  Liquid Hand Soap  (500ml)
  • 1 x  Dishwashing Liquid  (1L)
  • 1 x  All Purpose Cleaner  (4L)
  • 1 x  Shampoo  (4KG)
  • 3 x  Toothbrush
  • 1 x Toothpaste  
  • 1 x  Sponge

New additions

  • 6 x  Tissues box
  • 6 x  Toilet rolls packs
  • 3 x  Candles (1kg)
  • 3 x  Bath Loofa
  • 2 x  Blankets

Package Content

September – October 2023

  • 2 x  Spaghetti  (300g)
  • 2 x  Shell Pasta  (300g)
  • 2 x  White Flour  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Chickpeas (1kg)
  • 3 x  Rice  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Red Lentils  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Lentils  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Beans  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Halva  (454g)
  • 1 x  Apricot Jam  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Tahina (400g)
  • 1 x  Olive Oil  (0.75L)
  • 1 x Sunflower Oil  (1.8L)
  • 1 x Powdered Milk  (750g)
  • 2 x Sugar  (1kg)
  • 1 x Salt  (1kg)
  • 2 x Processed Cheese
  • 2 x Thyme  (400g)
  • 2 x Vermicelli  (500g)
  • 1 x Tea  
  • 1 x Chocolate cream   (350g)
  • 1 x Coarse Bulgur  (1kg)
  • 1 x Fine Bulgur  (1kg)
  • 1 x Biscuit Box  
  • 2 x Tomato Paste  (300g)
  • 2 x Tuna Cans  (340g)
  • 1 x Peas and carrots Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Corn Can  (400g)
  • 1 x Chicken Luncheon  (340g)
  • 1 x Coffee  (200g)
  • 1 x Pop Corn  (1kg)
  • 1 x  Laundry Powdered Detergent  (3kg)
  • 1 x  Liquid Hand Soap  (500ml)
  • 1 x  Dishwashing Liquid  (1L)
  • 1 x  All Purpose Cleaner  (4L)
  • 1 x  Shampoo  (4KG)
  • 3 x  Toothbrush
  • 1 x Toothpaste  
  • 1 x  Sponge

New additions

  • 6 x  Tissues box
  • 6 x  Toilet rolls pack
  • 3 x  Candles (1kg)
  • 3 x  Bath Loofah
  • 2 x  Blankets

This is how Care by CLES works

CBC team manages a database received from its 8 operational centers. The database is updated through the recent inclusion of eligible families given by local and national NGOs.

CBC team manages a database received from its 8 operational centers. The database is updated through the recent inclusion of eligible families given by local and national NGOs.

CLES gathers donations for Care by CLES initiative. All donations are 100% spent on the packages distributed*.

*CLES centers are free of charge to students as the association is self-funded. All the NGO’s operational costs are covered by the Raymond Debbane family foundation [this allows for every dollar donated to Care by CLES to go directly to the cost of foods and transportation to the centers.

CLES gathers donations for Care by CLES initiative. All donations are 100% spent on the packages distributed*.

*CLES centers are free of charge to students as the association is self-funded. All the NGO’s operational costs are covered by the Raymond Debbane family foundation, this allows for every dollar donated to Care by CLES to go directly to the cost of foods and transportation to the centers.

CBC places an order for food and hygiene parcels from local providers. The parcels are packed in reusable storage bags.

CBC places an order for food and hygiene parcels from local providers. The parcels are packed in reusable storage bags.

Care by CLES approves the list of products placed in the parcels. All items are screened for expiry date and quantities.

* Most items placed in the parcels are made in Lebanon

Care by CLES approves the list of products placed in the parcels. All items are screened for expiry date and the quantities.

* Most items placed in the parcels are made in Lebanon

Once the packages are ready, Care by CLES handles the transportation of goods to the eight CLES centers (or to locations assigned by CLES).

Once the packages are ready, Care by CLES handles the transportation of goods to the eight CLES centers (or to locations assigned by CLES).

Care by CLES team members contact the families on the database to receive their parcels and assign pick up dates.

Families come to the centers (or to locations assigned by CLES) to pick up packages.

*No personal information is shared to keep the privacy of the receivers intact.

Care by CLES team members contact the families on the database to receive their parcels and assign pick up dates.

Families come to the centers (or to locations assigned by CLES) to pick up packages.

*No personal information is shared to keep the privacy of the receivers intact.

Each package (5 parcels) weighs around 70 KGs and contains 6 weeks supply (of families of four) of grains, protein, oil, carbs, hygiene products, and kitchenware.

Each package (5 parcels) weighs around 70 KGs and contains 6 weeks supply (of families of four) of grains, protein, oil, carbs, hygiene products, and kitchenware.

Lebanese regions that received the packages

 From December 2019 to October 2023 

40,000
persons received food and essentials items 

245,634
bags of food and essentials items

7,000
families regularly receive a ration of five bags 

Operations during the coronavirus pandemic

With the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Lebanon has been on lockdown since the end of February. CBC continues its commitment to provide packages to the underprivileged citizens of Lebanon in these dire times of need.

  • Two team members in each of CLES’s centers ( or locations assigned by CLES) are present at predetermined times for parcels pickup.
  • The members will be wearing protective masks and gloves at all times and will follow up on the sanitization measures.
  • Families are assigned dedicated pickup times to avoid traffic and ensure safe and contactless delivery.

Contributors

Care by CLES is grateful to have the support and endorsement of benefactors from the Lebanese diaspora, international NGOs, and benefactors who spared no effort in supporting the mission of this project.

Care by CLES has joined forces with many local and regional NGOs to extend a helping hand and help more families in need across Lebanon.

To date, CLES has collaborated with:

  • Lebanese Scouts
  • Local associations
  • Local Municipalities
  • Local dispensaries
  • Nursing departments
  • Mayors
  • Elderly home