Keells joins forces with customers, partners to provide relief to vulnerable communities

The ongoing economic crisis in the country has left many Sri Lankans struggling to make ends meet. ‘Together for a Better Tomorrow’, the Keells community outreach program, started in May 2022 and has thus far provided essential packs to over 5,000 individuals spread across the country such as Gampola, Matara, Monaragala, Jaffna, Kalutara, Hambantota, Ampara, Colombo and suburbs. 

Keells has made available the Keells Donation card priced at Rs. 1,500 to potential donors, across the 128 stores and the e-commerce site which individuals can purchase. One donation card is equal to a pack of essentials donated to a family in need. Every rupee collected is diverted towards compiling packs of daily essentials that consist of rice, sugar, dhal, tea, salt and soya. Keells has undertaken to provide one additional pack for every nine packs up to a minimum of 5,000 packs. 

The generosity of Sri Lankans both local and domiciled overseas continues to amaze and encourage, even amidst the current adversity. The beneficiary identification is done with the support of Grama Niladaris, Samurdi Coordinators, midwives and places of worship in the identified communities. The dedication and passion of the community partners Sri Lanka Unites, Voice for Voiceless and Meda Mawatha amidst trying circumstances, has been a beacon of hope to many. 

Several other partners have also joined this program along the way taking into account the need of the hour. Keells expressed gratitude to Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. (CBL) Munchee for the contribution of a product for 5,000 packs and to Nations Trust Bank for collaborating to contribute one for every nine packs bought by donors using Nations Trust Bank American Express Card. BDO Sri Lanka partners Keells as the assurance partner and the Colombo Tuskers Round Table 8 (CTRT8) joined as the advocacy partner to raise awareness regarding the program to their local and global networks, with a commitment towards raising funds for a minimum of 1,000 packs (Rs. 1.5 m).

In a similar effort to provide relief to communities, Keells partnered with Orel IT and retail malls of John Keells Properties to implement Community Food Collection Boxes at the vicinity of three Keells stores at Crescat, K Zone Moratuwa and K Zone Kapuwatta. In this initiative too, Sri Lanka Unites and Meda Mawatha have joined in as community support partners to help collect and distribute the dry ration contributions of the donors among over 30 families in need since the launch of the project. 

With the ongoing crisis nearing a critical stage over the next few weeks, overshadowing livelihoods and worsening the food security of vulnerable communities across the country, Keells appeals to the generosity of its customers, partners and all other well-wishers to join hands with the community outreach program to ensure that many communities are supported during this period.