How city NGOs are ensuring no one sleeps hungry
Alongside food, we’re providing hygiene kits comprising soap, mask and thermometer. KULDIP NAR, From ResponseNet
The pandemic has surely re-emphasised the need to help the homeless, particularly with food. Doing their bit, NGOs in DelhiNCR have been providing ration, warm meals, etc. to support the less privileged as well as refugees. On World Food Day, today, some Good Samaritans share how they are feeding those reeling under the brutal impact of Covid-19.
“Since the second wave hit, we have supported over two lakh people with meals,” says Kuldip Nar from ResponseNet, adding, “We have created a model to ensure food security of migrants, underprivileged families for at least a month, at every intervention. We make sure that monthly ration is provided in their homes, and we are running this in over 13 states, including Assam, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.”
The tales of some refugees are heartbreaking, admits Anchal Sharma from Meals of Happiness. “Our team, along with volunteers, serves warm, nutritious meals to the less fortunate and refugees every day... Sometimes, donors help us get fresh mithai (sweets) made, and we distribute those too. Sweets give instant energy and also bring joy to the otherwise not-so-comfortable lives of the needy, especially in festive times. We also arrange for donation of clothes and toys,” she adds.
And then, there are NGOs assisting the less privileged acquire skills to be able to fend for themselves as well as their families. Manisha Bhatia from Abhinandan says, “Sometimes, we distribute food packets among the underprivileged in Nizamuddin area. But, as they say, ‘Teach a person to fish and they will never be hungry’, so we impart vocational skills to them. Our educational and welfare society has collaborated with Nizamuddin Railway Police Station, to give kids and women in the neighbourhood a chance to earn some extra income, so that they always have food on their plates. The police station has even let us use a part of their premises for this.”
Many people need just ration, so we distribute ration kits with salt, rice, atta, dal, oil, etc. ANCHAL SHARMA, From Meals of Happiness