Young people + one goal = Deliver 50 lakh meals
In times like these, when everyone is sitting at home, a group of young people came together (of course, not literally because of social distancing) and decided to help those in need, who work daily so that others can work from home carefree. This section of our society isn’t privileged enough to be able to sit at home, and so, this group (who don’t care about their names) decided to feed them.
What Is The #50MealPackChallenge?
It is a youth-driven campaign aimed at providing support to the underprivileged, poor, migrant workers and daily wagers in the form of food grains and dry ration. A “50 meal pack” contains uncooked dry ration for preparing 50 meals in a carry bag.
How Did It Happen?
Over social media. Yes! When so many were participating in #GestureChallenge and #DalgonaCoffee challenge over Instagram, this group took it a notch higher by ideating the #50MealPackChallenge.
Success
This less-than-a-week-old project has delivered 5 lakh meals already.
How Was It Shaped?
There is no power greater than a group of determined young people who want to change the status quo and it is what has shaped this initiative. The project is in its 6th day and has had over 50 iterations in its planning already. In its current form, the project is feeding the ones in need on behalf of everyone else working from home because distancing stands paramount, even if the cause is noble.
The Journey
- 29th March: Ideated the initiative to encourage people over social media to do their bit by feeding the ones in need.
- 30th March: Collaboration with Delhi Police to assess the ground situation for calculations.
- 31st March-1st April: 8532 kgs of ration supply distributed.
- 2nd April: 5600 kgs of ration distributed and partnered with NAFED – Govt. PSU for direct sourcing of ration from farmers
- 3rd April: 8190 kgs of dry ration distributed and monetary contribution portal launched.
The idea is very simple. To feed others. When the entire nation is sitting inside their homes, how can we let migrant and daily wage workers suffer? The project utilizes the state machinery for operations and supply chain. For all the monetary contributions received from people across India, NAFED supplies the Delhi Police with ration packets, which are then distributed by Delhi Police to people in need based on information received by Local Police Stations and Control Room.
How To Participate
1. Social Media Way
Step 1: Do your bit to feed the ones in need.
Step 2: Post your photo and challenge your friends to participate in the #50MealPackChallenge.
2. Donations
Step 1: Donations in multiples of Rs. 1100 directly into NAFED’s portal (two 50 Meal Packs for Rs. 1100).
3. Donation in Kind
Step 1: Create your own 50 Meal Pack by different ration combinations available on our Instagram handle @50mealpackchallenge.
Note – All these recipes have been designed by nutrition experts and moms to ensure they are healthy and easily available.
The project has received generous support in Delhi-NCR. It is very optimistic that the youth in other parts of the country will come forward and work in unison with government bodies to implement similar strategies. When the people across the world are already living in fear of the virus, let us do our bit to not add ‘Hunger’ as another burden on the already burdened shoulders.
P.S. We have saved 10 days of our travel and extra expenditure already. Can we please use that to help others? Also, the virus requires physical distancing but not social unity, and this is your chance!
Name of Contact: Niharika
Phone: +91 9811172739
Email: niharika1558@gmail.com