QUEEN’S ROAD:You don’t need money to help people, only an idea or inspiration. It sounds cutesy but that is how it was with 23-year-olds Harshil Mittal and his friend Ashutosh Morrison who work with Accenture.
The two have started the initiative Let’s Feed Bengaluru, to reach food to the needy. They collect food from willing donors and deliver it to someone who can’t otherwise afford it.
The initiative was inspired by a similar one in Chennai, The Food Bank, started by a visual communications student Sneha Mohandos.
In Bengaluru, Mittal started by reaching out to the residents of his society, and 40 of the 50 people he asked contributed. Anyone interested simply has to cook for an extra person and package it for the team to come and collect.
“We have a zero-money policy. We don’t take or give money, whenever there is money involved people doubt the intention,” said Mittal. “Instead, if the donor simply gives a portion of what is being cooked for the family, even the food will be of superior quality.”
The team drops off packaging material, sponsored by Mittal’s landlord and CEO of Homigo.in Nikhunj Batheja, at the donors’ homes.
The last collection of food packets was given away in the Gulbarg slum area in Jayanagar 1st Block.
The two went to the area and spoke to a local leader Bahadur Bhemmappa. He helped them identify needy families and two days later, they came in with the food packets.
“We gave the food only to children who are below 10 and people above 70.” Bahadur had announced earlier that food packets would be given away to these age groups, and a huge gathering was waiting for the duo. “Sadly we had only 40 packets and so many had gathered,” said Mittal.
Mittal and Morrison met on with volunteers on Sunday to prepare for their second drive on November 22. Around 200 people pledged support.
Anyone interested in participating in the initiative can help by cooking food, collecting it or delivering it. For more information, can visit the Let’s Feed Bengaluru Facebook group.