Making sure, orphanages in Goa don’t go hungry

Communicare Trust started the food bank initiative in December 2013 collecting one tonne of food for eight different homes in Goa. Since then it has been growing, achieving eight tonnes in one of the last collections, allowing them to provide to each home they support.
" The idea is to collect as much food (non-perishable) and utilities as possible, that are used in everyday life. The money saved in these products by the institutions, are invested to give children a better education. It happens twice a year - August and December," said Nalini Elvino de Sousa, manager of Communicare Trust
"For us, it has been such a rewarding experience tying up with the food bank" says the owner of Magsons group, Kirit Maganlal. Magsons who has been supporting Communicare Trust's Food Bank since its inception. All the staff and employees play a major role in the process.
In their fourth year of the Food Bank, Communicare Trust collected 4600kgs to be delivered to eight orphanages in Goa.
Almost 500kgs has been delivered to Care and Compassion-Santa Cruz, Bethesda Life Centre- Santa Cruz, Asha Mahal- Taleigao, Peace Haven- Caranzalem, Little Angels- Chorao, Mother Teresas Roses- Parra, Margaret Bosco Bal Sasan- Bastora and Asro- Thivim. " We had a team of 70 volunteers all across from Goa stationed at Magsons- Porvorim, Miramar, Caculo and Fatorda," added Nalini.
This years collection is significant as it marks by far the largest amount collected during the Monsoon Food Bank and also the highest number of people volunteering. " Irrespective of the weather, we witnessed people coming all the way and contributing towards the food bank, some as donors and some as volunteers. While some donated a cart full of items the others gave us each item from the shopping list," added Nalini.
" We were really skeptical but that was only because of the heavy downpour on the second day of our collection. But that didn't take our spirit away, all our volunteers were ready and excited about it. When we saw our godown filling up slowly, we figured that nothing can ever break us Goans when it comes to given for the less privileged, added Namitha Nair, Project Manager.
When asked what made this years event different, they spoke about their extensive use of social media. Through word of mouth, the Goan society came together to help spread the message across Goa.
"We also saw the younger generation actively promoting our event. At the end we had 70 people across Goa from different places and of different age groups, participating in the food bank. In the beginning we only had 7 people and we were worried about how we would handle this, as we had a target of 8 tonnes. But we have been optimistic about this throughout and we had faith in the people of Goa," said Namitha.
Describing what happened, she recalled how heartening it was, to see people coming hours before the collection started and offering to volunteer. "It was absolutely overwhelming. We didn't know most of them, but they were all willing to help us. It gave us more courage and confidence in what we are doing. It was great to see people believing in what we do. Moreover it is nice to have people who have the same mindset as we do. We are one big family now," said Namitha.
Regarding the specifics of the food items, they had provided rice, wheat, sugar, salt and oil. Besides this they also made sure every home gets pulses. Then there were biscuits, milk powder, tea powder, coffee powder, jam and noodles. Besides this, they also provided detergent powder and soaps for washing clothes and utensils. They make sure that the toothbrushes are changed every 6 months and hence they also provided toothbrushes and toothpastes. There were also other supplies like sanitary pads, diapers, candles and matchboxes.
"We prepare the shopping list only after we have a conversation with a representative of each home. This is to make sure that they always get what is required the most. Once the entire list is received, we make a consolidated one, keeping their requirements in mind and that is our food bank shopping list," explained Nalini.
The next food bank will be conducted in December and the two could make this year the highest they have collected in a single year (every year drives are conducted twice)
"We are excited about December because it's a festive month and people tend to give a lot more. We already have our ‘task force' ready and I hope by December we grow in numbers. We intend to collaborate with some more super markets in Margao as we have a lot of enthusiastic volunteers from Margao too. It will be the Christmas Food Bank and we intend to over achieve our target of 8 tonnes," added Nailini.
Speaking about the response received from the orphanages, Nalini pointed out have they been associated with them for a few years, who in turn have always been welcoming.
"The best part of the food bank, to see all the happy faces and excited to meet us. I feel the most important thing we do and want to continue to do is to be connected with them. To know them all, spend time with them, talk to them and let them know that we are always there for them The delivery is one of the most tedious task but also the most satisfying. It is the best reward," added Nalini.