5,000 meal packets a day distribution drive at Mumbai hospitals

While India is facing its longest lockdown to defeat COVID-19 pandemic, people are stepping up to do their bit to help those affected by coronavirus. Different programmes are being rolled out in the city and recently, chef Sanjeev Kapoor also kicked off a mission to feed the medical staff in key government hospitals as well as poor daily wage labourers across Mumbai. He is doing so in a collaborative effort by partnering with a five-star hotel chain.They distribute specially made meal packets for medical staff members in Kasturba Hospital, KEM Hospital and Sion Hospital. So, every day, more than 5,000 food packets – being made and packed at the hotel company kitchen are being delivered as a gesture of gratitude to these folks who are working round the clock in Mumbai.

Kapoor also began a strategy – where he collaborated with restaurant owners and caterers to use their facility and limited staff to cook for the needy. While he arranges for the staples and vegetables – through a donor-led approach; the meals are prepared by the local kitchens and restaurants. In the very first effort, Pratap’s Dhaba in Andheri West, Mumbai came forward to cook khichdi for 1,000 poor daily wage labourers.
"It’s the time to give back to the society; to strengthen those who are fighting with this pandemic on humanity’s behalf as well as to look after those who have been hit hard by this lockdown”, said Sanjeev Kapoor. “I have been lucky to have credible partners with equal concerns and sense of responsibility. The initial response has been very good from the restaurant and catering industry and we hope to extend these measures to Delhi too within a week", concluded Sanjeev.