(This story originally appeared in on Dec 29, 2015)

Around 400 dabbawalas have started the initiative 'Roti Bank' to prevent criminal wastage of food at social functions this festive season by picking it up from venues and delivering it to the city's poor, quickly.

The dabbawalas - members of Mumbai Jevandabbe Vahatuk Mahamandal , biggest union of the community in the city - have tied up with 30 major wedding planners and caterers who will call on two helpline numbers and schedule a 'pick-up'.

You can also dial the numbers, +919867221310 and +918652760542, if you are left with excess food after your house party. The dabbawalas nearest to the location will collect it and distribute it among pavement dwellers, slum residents and anyone living below the breadline.

The deliverymen will work with the same speed and efficiency that has made them world famous.

Large quantities of unconsumed food from weddings, parties and other social events in Mumbai ends up in the garbage bin. For the past few years, some activists, venues and private citizens have been trying to prevent the wastage by giving it to the poor.

"Why should be the food dumped in the bin when it can be shared with those who cannot afford one proper meal a day?" said the dabbawala union's spokesperson, Subhash Talekar. "We are known for quickly reaching a location and delivering lunch boxes. We want to use the same skills to help the poor."

The 400 dabbawalas will work beyond their shift for Roti Bank in the afternoon and in the evening. Though the initiative has been launched with focus on year-end festivities, it will continue for the coming months. "Roti Bank will work on a no-profit, no-loss model," a dabbawala said.

Shashank Kadam, who runs Ameeta Caterers in Parel, said he was glad to be a part of the initiative. "For any event, more food is prepared to ensure guests are not left waiting with empty plates. Often, there is leftover food that we want to distribute among the needy, but we cannot reach more people because of time and manpower constraints. The dabbawalas have come up with a great idea to prevent wastage because of such problems," Kadam said.

Dashrath Kedare, a lunch-box deliveryman and a member of the union, hopes more people join the effort.

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