One of the hardest parts of moving to the UAE is building a social circle from scratch. Work colleagues help, but meeting people outside your office takes deliberate effort. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to do it, and The Giving Family is one of the largest and most accessible volunteer communities in Dubai.
What is The Giving Family
The Giving Family is a UAE registered non profit that organises free meal distributions for low income workers across Dubai. Founded in 2022, the organisation has grown into one of the biggest volunteer driven initiatives in the country. During Ramadan, the operation scales significantly, with the goal of distributing hundreds of thousands of iftar meal kits to labourers and workers in areas like Al Quoz.
Outside of Ramadan, The Giving Family runs regular Sunday meal distributions and community events throughout the year. Each meal kit typically includes a serving of chicken biryani, a packet of juice, and dates, funded at roughly at AED 10 per meal through individual and corporate donations.
How to volunteer
Where: Al Quoz 1, Dubai (exact location shared on their Instagram before each event)
When: Sundays throughout the year, daily during Ramadan.
Cost: Nothing. Show up and help. No donation required, though contributions are welcome
How to sign up: Follow @thegivingfamily on Instagram for announcements. No formal registration needed for most events
What to expect: Roughly 100 volunteers turn up per session from all backgrounds and nationalities. You will help pack and/or distribute meal kits. Sessions typically last 1 to 2 hours based on the number of meals to donate.
How to donate
If you cannot volunteer in person, donations start from AED 10 (one meal). There is no minimum or maximum. Individuals, restaurants, and organisations can all contribute. Donation details are shared on The Giving Family’s Instagram page and through direct contact with the organisers.
Why this matters when you are new to the UAE
Volunteering with The Giving Family is worth highlighting for three practical reasons beyond the obvious good it does.
You meet people immediately. Volunteers come from every nationality and profession. A single session introduces you to dozens of people you would never cross paths with otherwise. Many regular volunteers have built lasting friendships through the community.
It costs nothing. Unlike networking events, social clubs, or gym memberships, volunteering has no entry fee. For new arrivals managing a tight budget during their first few months, this is a genuine social outlet with zero financial commitment.
It gives you perspective. Dubai can feel like a bubble of malls and brunch deals. Spending a few hours in Al Quoz handing meals to the workers who built the city is a grounding experience that most long term residents say changed how they see the country.
Looking for more ways to connect? The Giving Family is one of many communities in the UAE. Our Communities and Networking guide covers volunteering groups, social clubs, professional networks, and free meetups across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
