Articles features
Former Citi banker in Kerala feeds the hungry for free
Kochi, March 26
Having turned a restaurateur after a five year stint with Citibank, Minu Pauline, 28, thought of those who are hungry but have no money to buy food.
She mulled over the problem and finally decided that she would do her bit to help the hungry - even those who can't pull out their wallets to pay for what they have eaten at her restaurant.
They would somehow have to be provided food free of charge.
On Wednesday, she implemented her idea by placing a large refrigerator full of packets of food in front of her 40-seater restaurant at Kaloor near here.
Anyone who is hungry can come and take for free a packet of food kept in the fridge on which she spent Rs.40,000.
"Ever since I quit my banking job and opened my first restaurant, 'Pappadavada', in 2013, I have been concerned about the many who remain hungry because of no money to buy food," Pauline told IANS.
Her restaurant is located in a place where there are quite a few people from the weakest sections.
"On Wednesday I placed 50 packets of upma neatly packed in the refrigerator. I told a few people that if anyone needs food from now on, they can come and open the refrigerator and take one packet," she said.
"The response was good. I have now been telling people that if they have excess food with them, they can come and leave it in the refrigerator," said Pauline.
She ensures that the food available in the fridge is not stale by marking on the packet the date and time of its reception.
"I have decided not to keep any packet for more than two days.
In the two days since she began the initiative, "the packets seem to disappear as soon as they are kept," Pauline said.
She owns two restaurants here, employing about 30 people. The food is prepared at her central kitchen.
"The whole concept of this refrigerator is to send a message to the people not to waste food and instead help the needy," she said.
Some people offered to buy food from her and then leave it in the refrigerator, to which she said: "No, because my purpose is to see no food is wasted and hence if anyone has excess food, they can provide it to the needy."
Pauline said her husband Amal Nair is a constant source of inspiration to her.
She mulled over the problem and finally decided that she would do her bit to help the hungry - even those who can't pull out their wallets to pay for what they have eaten at her restaurant.
They would somehow have to be provided food free of charge.
On Wednesday, she implemented her idea by placing a large refrigerator full of packets of food in front of her 40-seater restaurant at Kaloor near here.
Anyone who is hungry can come and take for free a packet of food kept in the fridge on which she spent Rs.40,000.
"Ever since I quit my banking job and opened my first restaurant, 'Pappadavada', in 2013, I have been concerned about the many who remain hungry because of no money to buy food," Pauline told IANS.
Her restaurant is located in a place where there are quite a few people from the weakest sections.
"On Wednesday I placed 50 packets of upma neatly packed in the refrigerator. I told a few people that if anyone needs food from now on, they can come and open the refrigerator and take one packet," she said.
"The response was good. I have now been telling people that if they have excess food with them, they can come and leave it in the refrigerator," said Pauline.
She ensures that the food available in the fridge is not stale by marking on the packet the date and time of its reception.
"I have decided not to keep any packet for more than two days.
In the two days since she began the initiative, "the packets seem to disappear as soon as they are kept," Pauline said.
She owns two restaurants here, employing about 30 people. The food is prepared at her central kitchen.
"The whole concept of this refrigerator is to send a message to the people not to waste food and instead help the needy," she said.
Some people offered to buy food from her and then leave it in the refrigerator, to which she said: "No, because my purpose is to see no food is wasted and hence if anyone has excess food, they can provide it to the needy."
Pauline said her husband Amal Nair is a constant source of inspiration to her.
13 hours ago
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Marks Historic Presence at Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass
17 hours ago
"India's action was entirely justifiable": Former US NSA Bolton on Operation Sindoor
17 hours ago
Trump confronts South African President Cyril with 'baseless' claims of white 'genocide'; Cyril pushes back
17 hours ago
'You need to get out of here': Trump slams reporter for asking about Qatari jet
17 hours ago
House of Representatives Honored Dr. Hetal Gor as part of 'Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month'
17 hours ago
90 more US-deported migrants repatriated to Venezuela
17 hours ago
US withdrawal of Finnish scholar's grant sparks concerns over academic freedom
17 hours ago
South Korea expresses deep concern over killings of Israeli embassy employees in Washington
17 hours ago
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif proposes Saudi Arabia as neutral venue for talks
17 hours ago
Bangladesh court clears way for Ishraque Hossain to be sworn in as Dhaka South Mayor
17 hours ago
Shooter who killed Israeli embassy staff members in Washington shouted 'free Palestine'
19 hours ago
Female artist sexually exploited and blackmailed, K'taka Police file case
19 hours ago
Uber faces heat over 'advance tip' feature, govt steps in