Inviting locals to volunteer for a day

It could have been a lazy extended weekend for 18-year-old Muskaan Wadhwani, but she chose to rise early at 6 am that Sunday. Dressed in comfortable jeans and tee, she set out with her friends to Chunnabhatti slum with a mission; that of providing as many food packets and books possible to the kids there. She was a Robinhood that day. While handing out food packets to smiling faces she shares, “My friend Rishika and I came to know about it through social media and we were waiting eagerly for this drive to kick off in Bhopal . Now all our Sundays are spent being involved with them and I am not complaining!”While the government is still debating upon ways to curtail food wastage in the country, young denizens of Bhopal and Indore decided to take it upon themselves to eradicate the issue rather than conduct debates on it. Without waiting for government agencies, celebrities and big sponsors, these heroes without cape have waged a war against hunger, in the fabled way of their idol and namesake Robinhood! The Robinhood Army , is moving around in Bhopal and Indore to tying up with eateries and even individuals who can come forward to provide hot meals for the less fortunate in their cities. The central India chapter that began in Indore has now reached out to Bhopal and the combined team is now gearing up for a massive Independence Day drive. Last Sunday, our team decided to go on a distribution drive with the Robins to know more about them.The group has made sure that they provide hot meal to the homeless and needy at least once a week across various points in the cities. Pioneered by an enthusiastic Pharmacy student Amit Trivedi, the volunteers are currently engaged in joining hands with eateries across centres. “We have about 150 members in Indore and about 40 eateries have agreed to partner with us for providing surplus food. Even the district administration is supporting the cause and Mr. Sanjay Dubey, the divisional commissioner of Indore has donated one food van to the volunteers to help them ferry and distribute the food conveniently.” Hearing about the group many volunteers have started signing on and pledging food packets for their daily and weekly drives. Vikram Jeet Singh , a media professional from Indore is supporting the cause by getting food cooked for over 2000 people for the I-Day drive, “It is going to be a celebration for many who are deprived of good food. I saw a poster of Robin Hood Army on social media calling out to people to support the cause and thought of becoming a volunteer for a day. I am now focussing on Annapurna area where the food would be cooked and served hot and fresh to the people residing in slums nearby.”While things are looking up for the Indore chapter, Bhopal is turning out to be a struggle for now. Sonakshi Sharma, an active volunteer at Bhopal says, “We’re really trying hard to spread the word in the city for people and eateries to come forward for the I-Day drive as well as weekly ones. However, while many have promised to hear us out, there is no confirmation from their side, even as the date for execution keeps nearing. We are about 50 odd volunteers here who are reaching out to at least 10 people each to get at least a 100 on-board.” The volunteers maintain they have reached out to high end restaurants as well. Some smaller restaurant owners however have come forward to donate for the cause. Sanjay Kumar Singh owner of one such restaurant says, “We are contributing 50 food packets for the drive, which will have complete meal of puri, vegetables, dal and rice. We are ready to cook even fresh food daily for 50 people easily. Even before RA we had been contributing food to old age homes and orphanages. Hopefully they are able to collect daily basis. I believe we should contribute in many small ways rather than waiting for one big fancy opportunity.” So far only 2 eateries have confirmed for giving out their surplus food to the volunteers “sadly there is no change in the number as yet, but we are hopeful that people of Bhopal will come forward soon” sighs Amit optimistically.The group is currently gearing up for an across the border initiative of feeding at least a million people on 14and 15of August throughout India and Pakistan. Since these two countries will be celebrating Indpendence Day on the corresponding dates, they are launching this massive drive for freedom from hunger. Central India plans to contribute food for 17,000 people over these two days in Indore and Bhopal. The group has thus, urged youngsters to come forward and be a Robin for the day. “We can never have enough hands to feed the ever increasing hungry mouths in our cities. If people wish to dedicate their holiday by serving others, they can contact us through our social media sites and pages or get in touch with any volunteer they know.”“The entire hotel association is supporting the cause that includes cafes, marriage and party lawns as well. It is the best utilisation of the surplus food which is left with the hotels daily. We have been supporting the RHA in Indore since the time they have come into existence. However, it won’t be just a day’s celebration but a dawn of a noble cause. The idea is to make the public aware and continue with the practice.”- Sumit Suri, Chairman of Hotel and Restaurant Association , western region“In food business, specially at hostel mess there is a lot of surplus. While looking for ideas to curb wastage I stumbled upon their page on Facebook and got in touch with local volunteers for weekly and on-call pick up of extra food which will be then distributed to the needy. We only call them when we have food left for at least 10 people. Te group has also conducted awareness drive in the city, after which a few girls joined them as volunteers.”– Sumit Modi, owner of private girl’s hostel in Bhopal