Udupi youths join hands, serve food to needy

A group of youngsters in Udupi have set a noble example by collecting leftover food from marriage parties and catering units and distributing it to orphanages, special schools and old age homes in Udupi district.

After experiencing nature’s fury that left Kodagu and Kerala in distress with people striving to get proper food, the youngsters formed a WhatsApp group ‘Udupi helpline’ in August. Accordingly, Fahad of Muloor, Mahesh Poojary Hoode, Rafique from Kallianpura, Dhanush Shetty Holenagilu and Keerthi Kharvi Bengre have taken up the initiative to collect leftover food from caterers, marriage halls and distribute it among the needy.

In a message on the social media, the group appealed not to trash the leftover food, but instead, contact the group so that they can take the food out to the needy.

“This message has received good response and marriage halls and catering services have been informing us of the leftovers to collect,” Mahesh Poojary said.

The leftover food, otherwise, would have landed in drains. But it is now being used to provide the much-needed nutrition to those who need it the most. Food is essential for all. Helping a person in satiating hunger is a noble service, he added.

Mahesh Poojary said, “We supply food to Ashramas in Shirva, Manchikallu, Kaup, Kundapura Koni and Santhekatte.”

“Though we have started an initiative to collect leftovers from organisers, we have not inaugurated it officially. We are planning to invite Udupi DC to formally inaugurate it within a few days,” he said.

“It was disturbing to see food being wasted while there are people who don’t get proper food. The flood victims of Kodagu and Kerala also suffered from lack of food supply. There are hundreds of marriage halls and caterers in the district. If we can make an effort to distribute the unused food to old age homes, orphanages and special schools, it will benefit many,” he explained.

“At present, we don’t have any utensils to collect the food. We collect the food from different halls in the utensils provided by the caterers and return the utensils to them. We are also chalking out a plan to purchase utensils and a vehicle to transport the food. If donors come forward, we can extend the activity further. Now, we only pool in resources to take up the initiative,” Mahesh said.