Over 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, and donors, kitchens, and delivery networks are working hard to meet their needs. To streamline the process, Sofra is a platform that connects donors, restaurants, and NGOs to deliver meals directly to displaced communities.
Instead of scattered efforts, it creates a more organized system where resources, kitchens, and distribution networks work together.
The initiative started with support from the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Siren, CME, and Beirut Digital District, hoping to not only contribute to relief efforts but ensure that the hospitality sector is fully capable of serving communities during critical times.
The platform connects donors to small kitchens across Lebanon, which in turn link to delivery networks that distribute daily meals to families in need. Here’s how it works:
If you’re a donor
Head to their website and click “Fund A Meal.” In addition to being able to donate a fixed amount, you can also donate to provide meals for a set number of people over a set period. For example, you could fund daily meals for 5, 20, 100, or 500 people for a week, a month, or 3 months.
Next, you can spin the platform’s wheel to randomly select a small kitchen preparing meals for displaced families, or pick one from their extensive list to support directly.
If you’re a restaurant that wants to help
Restaurants can join Sofra to support relief efforts by preparing meals for displaced families. Signing up adds your kitchen to their extensive list, making it easy for donors to fund your meals. You can click here to start the registration process.
Here’s how it works:
1. Sign up and set your kitchen’s capacity and menu.
2. Donors fund meals that are assigned to your kitchen.
3. Admin schedules meals for your kitchen.
4. Work with the NGO in charge of the shelter, if applicable.
5. Drop off the meals at the shelter and post a photo on the platform.
Joining is straightforward and helps get daily meals to families who need them while keeping your kitchen active and connected to a community effortlessly.
If you’re an NGO coordinating deliveries
Sofra helps NGOs manage shelters receive meals from participating restaurants and coordinate food support for displaced families.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Add the shelters you support and the number of displaced people in each.
2. Restaurants are assigned to prepare meals for your shelters based on need.
3. Meals are delivered to your shelters, and the platform tracks completion with a photo and a report.
Registering your NGO makes it easier to coordinate food support and ensures families in your shelters receive meals reliably every day.
Every contribution helps ensure families receive daily meals and that communities stay connected through practical support.
Want to continue supporting relief efforts? Make sure to browse the #Support Lebanon section on our website for more.
