THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bakrid and Onam are fast approaching. However, thousands of less fortunate people in the city won’t be munching on sarkara upperi or posting on Facebook about having eaten “too much mutton biryani”. The Kochi Chapter of the Robin Hood Army—a volunteer-based organisation which collects fresh, excess food from restaurants and distributes it amongst the needy—is hoping to change this stark scenario.
The local faction of this decentralised group is comprised of young professionals and college students who dedicate their free time to raise awareness; coordinate with eateries and hand out meals to registered orphanages, old-age abodes, ailing patients, underprivileged families and homeless people across the city. A week ago, on the Independence Day, these Kochiites joined volunteers from 48 cities across India and Pakistan as they came together to feed 1.32 million disadvantaged women, children and men!
Giving back
Every Sunday since the second of July, we’ve been doing quality-controlled food drives. But last week, we had the good fortune to collect and provide fresh meals and cooking kits (with essential ingredients like rice and sugar) for over 3,250 people as part of Robin Hood Army’s viral #Mission1Million campaign,” begins Meghna Manohar, a BTech student who handles the Kochi Chapter of the organisation. “No funds or donations are collected by this project, the best way to contribute is through the power of your outreach,” adds the 21-year-old.
It’s not just major brands like DTDC and McDonald’s with corporate social responsibility programmes that assist the group; small hotels including Gokul Oottupura, Classik Fort, Livanta and students from institutions like Model Engineering College are also active partners. So, the next time you find yourself in possession of fresh, surplus food after a wedding or an office party, call up the Robin Hood Army’s Kochi Chapter.
To volunteer, contact 9895829372 or log on to robinhoodarmy.com