Care by CLES is an initiative launched by CLES and its president Carmen Chahine Debbane in the aftermath of the difficult and challenging times Lebanon has been facing on an economical front.

With the increasing levels of unemployment in the country (40% to 50% according to recent statistics), families are lacking the basic needs to survive and provide for their children. Care by CLES provides food and hygiene packages to families in need all over Lebanon. Each package includes two parcels of food and one parcel of hygiene products that can last up to 6 weeks and more.

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

April / May 2020

  • 2 x  Spaghetti  (250g)
  • 2 x  White Flour  (1000g)
  • 2 x  Chickpeas (1000g)
  • 3 x  Rice  (1000g)
  • 2 x  Red Lentils  (1000g)
  • 2 x  Lentils  (1000g)
  • 2 x  Beans  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Halva  (400g)
  • 1 x  Apricot Jam  (1000g)
  • 1 x  Olive Oil  (0.75L)
  • 1 x Sunflower Oil  (1.8L)
  • 1 x Powdered Milk  (750g)
  • 3 x Sugar  (1000g)
  • 1 x Salt  (1000g)
  • 2 x Processed Cheese
  • 2 x Thyme  (400g)
  • 2 x Vermicelle  (500g)
  • 2 x Coarse Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 2 x Fine Bulgur  (1000g)
  • 1 x Biscuit Box  (85g)
  • 3 x Tomato Paste  (660g)
  • 2 x Tuna Cans  (185g)
  • 1 x Chickpeas Dip  (400g)
  • 1 x Fava Beans  (400g)
  • 1 x Chicken Luncheon  (340g)
  • 1 x  Laundry Powdered Detergent  (3kg)
  • 2 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  (120ml)
  • 1 x  Sponge

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.

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.

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

* 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, quantities, and accuracy of orders placed.

* 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).

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 (3 parcels) weighs around 70 KGs and contains 6 weeks supply (of families of four) of grains, protein, oil, carbs and hygiene products

Lebanese regions that received the packages

 From December 2019 to April 2020 

Distribution Progress

December 2019
600 packages distributed

February 2020
400 packages distributed

April / May 2020
2,000 packages distributed

June 2020
Packages are under preparation for delivery to 3,000 families

Scheduled Distribution Until June 2021
Around 16,000 packages

Operations during the coronavirus lockdown

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

Special thanks go to each and every team member of CLES for making this initiative happen. The spirit of volunteerism is overwhelming and it shows the professionalism and the giving nature of the team who is acting as true support in these times of need.