SBLRF In action

 In the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, and with the help of Metropolitan Silouan, $5,000 was distributed before Pascha to 36 families caring for 60 minor orphans. 

 $5,000 was equally distributed by Metropolitan Antonios (with the help of the nuns helping him with his ministry and with the help of the parishes Priests of those two villages) before Pascha to needy families in the villages of Qousaya and Deir Elghazal.  There are no big supermarkets in those villages to distribute food vouchers. Small families received $50 cash and large ones $100 cash.  

With the Help of the House of Family and Youth and under the guidance of Metropolitan Ephraim, $5,000 worth of Food Vouchers ($50 each) from different supermarkets were distributed right before Pascha to many families in Koura, Dineyeh, and Tripoli. 

OYM Social and Medical Center in Sioufi, Beirut distributed $5,000 worth of food vouchers ($50 each) during Holy week to many needy families in Beirut and surrounding areas, such as in Ashrafieh, Nabaa, Fern Alchabak, Burg Hammoud, Tehweetah, and Dawra . The food vouchers were used to purchase, chicken, meat and other groceries.

Diesel Vouchers were distributed to families in five parishes in Metn, Kesserouan, and Aley.  Diesel was also distributed to the Elderly Home in Douma.  Food packages were distributed during Christmas to families in Batroun, and Koura through St George parish in Batroun. Each package consisted of vegetable oil, powdered milk, tomato paste, sugar, lentils, rice, chickpeas, burgol, pasta, vermicelli, cheese, tea, toilet paper, sweets, chicken, a carton of eggs and half a kilo of meat.

Diesel Vouchers were distributed to families in many parishes in Zahle, Baalbeck, and the Bekaa area. 

Food Vouchers ($50 each) from different supermarket in Koura and Dineyeh were distributed just before Christmas to 78 families.  Also $1,000 was given to support the food project in Beshmezzine, where OYM members from across north Lebanon get together with Father Rimlawi once a month and assemble food bags to be distributed to families across many parishes in North Lebanon. 

OYM Clinic in Sioufi, Beirut distributed food vouchers ($50 each) right before Christmas to many needy families in Beirut and surrounding areas. The food vouchers were used in Meat and Market supermarket in Beirut.    

OYM with the help of the parish priest of Deir Mimas: 40 families were helped with $50 each with food vouchers from a meat market in Marjayioun and supermarket St George in Klayeaat, right on time for Christmas.  These families recently returned to their village after the ceasefire with Israel and were in dire need for help.

OYM, social work department in Mina distributed food vouchers ($30 or $50 each) to needy families for Christmas. Two supermarkets were used, Ashkar and Missi. 

1. With the assistance of Metropolitan Silouan, and in order to be able to cope with the increase demand for food, we were able to equip the Kitchen of the parish of Mansourieh, which is now preparing daily hot meals for displaced families in the region, with pots, pans, cutlery, juicers, burners, colanders, and many other kitchen equipment. 

2. Displaced families from Deir Mimas, in the Archdiocese of Tyre and Sidon that found refuge in the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, were helped with  $4,000, that was distributed to 40 needy families according to a list provided by the parish priest and the parish Council of Deir Mimas.

3.  $50 Vouchers each was given to 80 needy families in the Orthodox parish of Batroun to purchase medicine and food.  

1. With the help of Metropolitan Antonios we were able to purchase medical equipment (Defibrillator with AED, vital sign monitor, oxygen concentrator, and EKG Unit) to be used at  St Nektarios the wonderworker Clinic in Qousaya.  You can find the equipment in the photo gallery above. They arrived to the clinic right on Nov 9th, which is the Feast Day of St. Nektarios! 

2. Food distribution: 115 bags (bulgur, lentils, beans, chickpeas, rice, flour, cheese, meat luncheon, tomato paste, Tuna, veggie oil, milk and other grains) were put together and given to 115 displaced families and those hosting them, in 2 parishes located in west of Zahle, Reit and Qousaya.

Through the help of Metropolitan Ephraim, and the House of Family and Youth, many families in Koura and Minyeh were assisted with the purchase of many months supply of medicine to treat different diseases and to treat mental illnesses, in addition to purchasing milk for children, diapers for adults and paying the cost of doctors visits for the needy. 

1. OYM distributed boxes of food to 65 displaced families in public schools in Mina, Tripoli. (see pictures in the photo gallery) 

2.   We purchased medicine for the  OYM Clinic in Mina, which help the orthodox parishioners in the area.  The medicine was purchased for the treatment of cold, flu , cough, fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, gloves, surgical tape, compress, plaster, and zeta cream to treat skin infections.

3.   OYM Clinic in Sioufi, Beirut were helped with the purchase of medicine such as Tylenol, cough and flu medicine, heart burn medicine, vitamins and calcium,   muscle relaxant, Xaviran to prevent blood clots, Sagimet to treat diabetes, and Citoles to treat depression.

In addition to distributing medicine for the needy families in Ashrafieh,  the clinic was able to distribute medicine to 125 people from Deir Mimas that are staying close to the Orthodox parish of Nakkash. 

 In June of 2023 we started our work with a visit to his eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Kyriakos of Tripoli and Koura, and we assessed the needs.  The need was so great for food, diapers and medicine.   Sixty grocery store vouchers ($50 each)  and adult diapers were distributed to the neediest families through the House of Family and Youth organization established by Metropolitan Ephraim Kyriakos (please see pictures below).  A nursing home in Mina recommended by Metropolitan Ephraim, was helped with diapers, cleaning supplies, toiletries and meat (2 kg of meat a week from a local butcher for 10 weeks).  The Orthodox Youth Movement, social work department distributed meat and chicken vouchers to 33 families in Mina, in addition to purchasing medicine to support a local clinic. The chicken and meat vouchers were all used up within 2 days from distribution. We heard how families were happy to finally add meat to their meals, since they couldn't afford to buy it since last Pascha when it was donated to them.  To give you an idea, 1Kg of meat cost around $12, and many families are living on a income of no more than $50 a month, if they are employed. One hundred bags of food assembled by Orthodox Youth Movement members and a priest were distributed to 11 areas in north Lebanon including Fih, Amioun, Barsa, Kfarhazir, Dede, Bishmizzine, Chekka, Kosba, Bedeba, Beterram, Bsarma, Kfarsaroun, Kfarakka, Anfe, Hakel Al Aziemeh, Mjdleia,  Samerieh, Qulhat, Tripoli, El Minieh, and El Mina. 

In November of 2023 we covered the cost of prescription drugs for individuals in need in Koura, Dennieh and Tripoli, and this is through the help of The House of Family and Youth.  We also distributed grocery stores vouchers in those same areas and continued our support for the nursing home in Mina.

The Orthodox Youth Movement (MJO) helped us with distributing 20 grocery store vouchers valued at $50 each to 20 families in Akkar.

In May of 2024 The House of Family and Youth helped us to distribute 1/2 tanks of olive oil to 42 families in need in Koura and Tripoli.  We also distributed  grocery stores vouchers and meat vouchers for families in Koura, Minyeh and Mina.

 In May of 2024 We supported an MJO clinic in Achrafieh, Beirut to purchase medicine to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies and depressions. 

 Through collaboration between MJO and Father Nicolas Basil, the local priest of the Orthodox parish in Tyre, in southern Lebanon 48 families received boxes of food. The boxes were assembled by parishioners and contained the following: rice, cheese, mortadella, tomatoes sauce, oil, spaghetti, lentils, burghul (cracked wheat), jelly, sugar, tuna, sardine, hummus, and fava beans.

Through MJO, School Adoption Project 50 students from Ecole National Orthodox, Akkar (a school that was founded by his Thrice blessed Memory Metropolitan Boulos Bandali) were helped with $100 each to pay for their tuitions.

 The Medical Treatment Fund in Mina established by the local Orthodox churches and MJO were helped to cover the cost of medicine for the needy and to help with cancer treatment sessions for the uninsured.

In June of 2023, we had a long drive getting to Zahle, but it was an enjoyable scenic drive passing through the beautiful villages in Lebanon.  We arrived to the chancery, where Metropolitan Antonios resides with monks and nuns living in different quarters, and helping his eminence with his ministry.  There was so much joy and hospitality all around and we got to venerate the relics of many Orthodox Saints at the Chapel of the chancery.  We participated in the hot meal distribution project on a Wednesday at St. Nicholas restaurant, adjacent to the chancery.  We supported the Good Samaritan hot meal program for 4 weeks.  We also supported the purchasing of grains, cans, vegetable oil, powdered milk and other food that the archdiocese distributes to the neediest families in the following areas: Zahle, Taalbaya, Jdita, Qob Elias, Ammik, Mashghara, Jeb Jennine, Aita Al Fakhar, Mekseh, and Qaraoun.  Medicine for cholesterol, hypertension, allergy and many other conditions was purchased to support the St Nektarios Dispensary and dental clinic at Qousaya .

 In November of 2023 we supported the student aid program of Zahle and Baalbek, led by Metropolitan Antonios and his team at the chancery, where 82 university students from 11 parishes  in Bekaa and 6 students from Akkar and Mina received $20 per month each ( for 4 months) to help paying for transportation cost to get to their colleges. We also distributed heating oil (diesel) for families in need in Zahle and surrounding areas. 

In May 2024 $4,000 parcels of food were distributed to 115 families living in 4 parishes located in west of Zahle, and $917  to 41 students as a contribution to “the Monthly Transportation allowance” project for the month of May 2024; this project provides 82 university students with cash amount of 2,000,000 LBP (around $22/Student) on monthly basis, from October till June of each year. 

In June of 2023 we visited Metropolitan Silouan at the chancery in  Broummana, and it was truly a blessed visit to his eminence where we discussed the needs of the largest Orthodox archdiocese in Lebanon.  Medicine was purchased to support the clinics for the orthodox youth movement in Batroun, the medical center of Wadi Chahrour and the Socio-medical Dispensary of Al-Nabaa.  One hundred food bags were assembled by members of the Orthodox Youth Movement, by orthodox priests and were distributed to the following areas: Raskifa, Mazraat Assaf, Bziza, Kaftoun, Wahjh Al Hajar, Kouba, Kfour Al Arbi, Kfarhelda, Kfarhata, Douma, Hamat, and Batroun.  We also supported Assafina organization for handicaps in Batroun and the elderly home in Douma (established by Metropolitan Antony Bashir, of thrice-blessed memory) with purchase of heating oil for the winter season.    Grocery store vouchers valued at $50 each were distributed to the most vulnerable members of the police department in Batroun. The members of the police department come from different areas in Lebanon, and not only from Batroun. 

In November of 2023 we continued our support to the elderly home in Douma, distributed grocery store vouchers for needy families in Batroun and surrounding areas, in addition to supporting Assafina organization for handicaps. We also supported the community kitchen at the church of the nativity of the Mother of God in Mansourieh that distributes hot meals weekly to families in Mansourieh, Bourj Hammoud, and Al-Nabaa, in addition to supporting the medical dispensaries in Al-Nabaa, Wadi Al Shahrour and Kfarhata.

In May of 2024   $5000 were distributed to the following organizations and clinics in Mount Lebanon: The Socio-medical dispensary  in Al-Nabaa , the Elderly Home, at the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish located in Douma, the communal kitchen at the Nativity of the Mother of God Parish located in Mansourieh- Al Metn, Wadi-Shahrour Dispensary, at Saint John the Baptist Parish, Kfarhata Dispensary at Saint John the Evangelist Parish.