How actor Tara Deshpande wants to build a network to feed the hungry amid Covid

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 Mumbaibased 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 studioculinarygmailcomldquoWe are preparing basic meals at home for those who do not have access to food amp can pick up in Mumbai Capacity limitedrdquo she wroteWe are preparing basic meals at home for those who do not have access to food amp can pick up in Mumbai capacity limited If u know people who need assistance source is verified please email us at studioculinarygmailcom No charge for these meals pictwittercom7nuehAxy0Bmdash Tara Deshpande Tara_Deshpande April 24 2021While 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 mealsMiddaycom reached out to Deshpande to know more about her plans for the initiativeHere are edited excerptsHow are the meals made How big is your teamThe 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 MumbaiWhat is included in the meals What is the kind of response you have seenThe meals are very simple They are always ricebased 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 budgetThe 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 Ive worked with in the past who need funds urgently on social mediaWhere do you deliver the meals and how can people who do not have social media or email connect with youWe 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 kindsI dont 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 needyThis 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 reachAre these meals also delivered to Covid19 patients If not are there plans to start itNo the meals are not delivered to Covid19 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 helpIn 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 nowWhat are the current challenges you are facing in delivering the meals Are you looking for volunteersI 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 Ill 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 spreadsBut for delivery help is welcome on some days The key here is that people arent 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