Muscat: The role of organizations in society has evolved rapidly in recent years. As of today, businesses know their value lies far beyond profit-making, and is embedded in the culture, technology, and community around them. In fact, over 90% of companies are engaged with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), compared to just 20% ten years ago – with the pandemic spurring companies to leverage the potential of technology to make a greater impact. 

In this context, companies such as talabat in Oman are changing the game for CSR. Inspired by its three pillars – giving back, sustaining the environment, and its riders’ safety and well-being – the platform is using the technology in its hands to not only host charitable acts, but also highlight them within its wide community. With that said, the company dedicated over OMR 230,000 in 2021 alone to implement various CSR initiatives. 

Over the past two years, talabat Oman accelerated its CSR efforts and began partnering with local charities to enable donations through the app, which are now known as virtual charities on the platform. This revolutionary service made it easier for people to contribute throughout the pandemic, enabling donations from the safety of their homes.

Mohamed Zourob, Managing Director of talabat Oman said, “The pandemic really challenged us as an organization, yet it also enabled us to discover what values we stand for, and made it clear to us that we have a greater purpose and are in a position to help our communities tremendously. In the last two years, we have zoomed in on our capabilities and our ecosystem – our customers, partners, riders, and the local community, working with sustainability at our core.”

“We are committed to do our part to drive Oman’s sustainable economy by working hand in hand with the local community to identify how we can, as talabat, support in every way possible.” added Zourob. 

In a very short period of time, the app managed to draw in over OMR 123,000 for Dar Al Atta’a, Al Rahma Association for Motherhood and Child Welfare, the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children, Environment Society Oman, Ata’a Tawoon, and the Oman Cancer Association, all of which are present as virtual charities on talabat’s application. talabat Oman also recently welcomed its newest charity partner in Salalah, Al Bahja Orphanage.

Throughout the pandemic, talabat Oman has been thrust into the spotlight as a caretaker of the F&B ecosystem, and as such, has played a major role in keeping the general population safe. In addition to launching location-based free delivery to make sure that people were staying in during lockdowns, the introduction of contactless delivery and cashless payment for online orders allowed individuals to order from the safety of their homes. 

The platform also went above and beyond to support the government’s immunization campaign, facilitating the donation of over 3,000 meals to healthcare employees and volunteers working at the National Vaccination Centre (NVC) in August 2021. Additionally, the company collaborated with Dar Al Atta’a in October 2021 to support people in Al Batinah province who were affected by Cyclone Shaheen by donating food, school bags and stationary, as well as creating fun activities for the children. Other initiatives implemented in 2021 also include talabat’s partnership with Oman International Hospital (OIH) as part of its #WeCare campaign to provide students from the Sultan’s School with meals while they learn about the importance of healthy eating and healthcare. 

Customers or anyone who would like to donate online to the charities can download talabat on the iOS App Store, Huawei AppGallery, and Google Play and select their charity of choice.