With an intention of reaching out to the needy and providing food to the hungry, members of the Versova Welfare Association began the concept of a community fridge in January this year. The fridge which is located outside a small temple in Versova does not fail to put a smile on the face of those deprived of food. The concept also known as a 'food bank' has been receiving a lot of attention and becoming popular among the locals.
It provides a platform for locals to store leftover food or to purchase food and store it in the fridge. Speaking about the project, Dr Kshitij Mehta, secretary of the association, said, "We started the food bank with the sole aim of helping the needy. It is not just for the people who are living on the street but anyone can come and help themselves. After the initiative, many residents and nearby eateries have come forward by donating good quality food."
The fridge has been donated by the association's president, Gopal Hegde, and is located at Shiv temple which is run by the Walkeshwar Temple Trust. Kalki Gala, 56, said, "It is a good concept. Rather than throwing away food, people can do a good deed by helping the needy who go hungry on a daily basis."
With the popularity of the food bank growing in the area, the association is getting calls from different parts of the city to start a food bank in other areas as well. "Initially, we spread the word through social media. We are now getting calls to set up food banks in Andheri, Powai and Mulund. People are not only willing to donate food but also a fridge for the cause," said, KP Nambia, association member.
