Different sections of the society including the middle-class, young working professionals living on their own in Mumbai, college youth, students, labourers, migrants, urban poor and even some well to do families have been economically affected due to lockdown imposed in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Food and water have become the most integral resource.
Anyone who is in need can take a meal for free from the community fridge set up at St Joseph’s International School, Bandra West since October 18. The community fridge is a voluntary project of the Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen’s Necklace, Nobody Ever Sleeps Hungry (NESH) non-governmental organisation (NGO) and Daughters of the Cross Nuns.
The fridge has been set up in the school compound where anybody who is in need can walk up during any time of the day and pick up a meal for free. Sapphire D’Penha, who is managing this community fridge on a voluntary basis, said, “Anyone who is in need of food can walk up to the school and take away a meal. Anybody not necessarily just those on the streets, but even those who have lost jobs or do not have ration to cook in their homes, or youngsters who are living by themselves can come and pick up a meal. The community fridge is open to one and all.”
You can just walk up to the school and the watchman who is on duty 24×7 will handover a food packet to you. D’Penha said, “It is a different initiative than the usual food distribution or charity as many people are ashamed or embarrassed to stand in a queue for free food. But, we just want to provide food to all those who are in need.”
While many people take food packets every day, there are also people who are coming forward and keeping food in the fridge. D’Penha said, “Many people come to keep home-cooked meals, food packets and water in the fridge. As the message is spreading via word of mouth and WhatsApp, people are getting to know of this initiative. We need more people to come forward and keep cooked meals in the fridge so that we can help more people who are in need. People can offer any wholesome meal which can serve the needy.”
Aditi Divekar, who walked up and donated some food items, said, “I wanted to do my bit to help those who are in need after I read a message about this initiative. It is a very unique initiative compared to the usual charity. I will continue to provide some meals every Saturday so that the fridge is full of meals.”
D’Penha added, “As the fridge is open to give food to everyone, it is also open to receive food from anyone. Common people and residents can keep meals in the fridge. Restaurants, hotels, cafes and shops can donate materials or cooked meals which can be put in the fridge. Even extra food from parties, functions, weddings or other events can be sent to the fridge instead of throwing it away.”
Sr Rohini, of the Daughter of the Cross Nuns, said, “We encourage people to help and provide food in this time of need. They can provide fresh meals which can help those who are hungry and in need of food.”
The Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen’s Necklace and NESH NGO aims to set up more than 150 community fridges in different areas of Mumbai so that they can reach out to more people. Zohair Diwan, founder of NESH NGO, said, “The community fridge initiative is a self-sustainable model where Mumbaikars can stand up and help other Mumbaikars in need. We need people to come forward and donate fresh meals, refrigerators and safe locations to set up a community fridge so that we can help more people in such difficult times.”
Asif Porbanderwala, a member of the Rotary Club and NESH NGO, said, “Along with creating a sustainable model, we wanted to give respect to the needy while combating hunger. There are many people who would not ask for food upfront so we aim to set up community fridges in every gully of Mumbai wherein people from the neighbourhood can provide meals and help the needy. We can start by cooking an extra meal a day in the house, some extra chappatis which can help those who are hungry.”
