The Mumbai-based actor and chef is providing homemade meals to children staying on the streets, the unemployed, and elderly people who live by themselves in South Mumbai
Actor and chef Tara Deshpande
As India comes together to help those in need of oxygen cylinders and plasma donors, some are trying their best to ensure people do not go hungry. Mumbai-based actor and chef Tara Deshpande has taken on the task of helping those in need by cooking and delivering food to them. She published a tweet on April 24 asking those who know people without regular access to food to send her an email on studio.culinary@gmail.com.“We are preparing basic meals at home for those who do not have access to food & can pick up in Mumbai. Capacity limited,” she wrote.
We are preparing basic meals at home for those who do not have access to food & can pick up in Mumbai. capacity limited. If u know people who need assistance -source is verified please email us at studio.culinary@gmail.com. No charge for these meals pic.twitter.com/7nuehAxy0B
— Tara Deshpande (@Tara_Deshpande) April 24, 2021
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While food delivery services have stepped forward to supply meals to Covid patients, there are many others who remain underserved. Currently distributing the food for free in South Mumbai, her primary focus is children living on the streets, the homeless, elderly people who stay alone and those who are out of work and cannot afford meals.
Mid-day.com reached out to Deshpande to know more about her plans for the initiative.
Here are edited excerpts:
How are the meals made? How big is your team?
The meals are made at home like I would for family. They are packed in boxes available and distributed on a scooter by helpers. Currently, we are only distributing to neighborhoods in South Mumbai.
What is included in the meals? What is the kind of response you have seen?
The meals are very simple. They are always rice-based with a vegetable type of curry and sometimes it is a one pot dish like sambhar rice or pohe with veggies. In Indian cuisine, we have thousands of vegetarian options from every region. One day it was Kashmiri rajma with shalgam (turnips) and rice, another day it was masale bhat from Maharashtra. Dishes that families prepare for everyday living on a budget.
The response has been staggering and we are running out of food boxes. It is very hard turning people away. There are people offering to help, deliver, cut and chop and donate. There has been overwhelming concern, care and support. This country has a huge heart. I am not accepting any donations in cash or kind but will suggest registered NGOs I've worked with in the past who need funds urgently on social media.
Where do you deliver the meals and how can people who do not have social media or email connect with you?
We are working at capacity right now. As a result of social media alone, hundreds of emails and messages are coming from all over the country asking for help of all kinds.
I don't have resources in other cities, so I will do social media live chats to connect people who do with those who are needy. A chain of help so to speak, a network for the needy.
This way, one can facilitate and another person can take off where our limited capacity ends. I have reached out to other established NGOs to come in and help in areas I cannot reach.
Are these meals also delivered to Covid-19 patients? If not, are there plans to start it?
No, the meals are not delivered to Covid-19 patients. Currently, it is being delivered to street children, pavement dwellers and elderly who are living alone. Many folks who have lost their jobs and have no income are also calling for help.
In the first lockdown last year, it was frontline workers, as private institutions were not prepared for food shortages. I believe they have filled that gap now.
What are the current challenges you are facing in delivering the meals? Are you looking for volunteers?
I cannot take in any helpers into my building as for health reasons like many other buildings non- residents are permitted inside. I have to respect the safety of my neighbours. When this is lifted and help can come in, I'll be able to increase production capacity. But let us see what happens in the next few weeks. In the meantime, we must follow the rules of local government and adhere to what medical experts are saying. I am getting feedback that groups of people are still loitering around without masks on the streets. This is how it spreads.
But for delivery, help is welcome on some days. The key here is that people aren't just reaching out for food now. The majority of calls are for oxygen cylinders, medication and income support. If we can find a way to connect with employment agencies to help people who are jobless find some kind of work it will be extremely helpful. Besides income, work keeps people mentally occupied and engaged. One can think about something else other than the depressing news we see all day.
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