Team Bolar Members Donate Rs 50K Essentials Daily to the Needy during Covid-19 Lockdown
Team Bolar Members Donate Rs 50K Essentials Daily to the Needy during Covid-19 Lockdown, since they started their food drive on 27 March till date.
Mangaluru: Take the example of this generous and hardworking team members who are striving hard in donating commodities and other essentials daily for daily wage labourers and migrants, who have been facing hardship due to stoppage of work during lockdown- and others should learn from “TEAM BOLAR’ as to “How to help the most vulnerable during the covid-19 lockdown- and their work has been appreciated by the local community, and also nationally and in other parts of the world.
Not-for-profit organisations and charities are putting together funds to help the most vulnerable communities during the lockdown. The ongoing lockdown, in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, has affected the lives of some of the most vulnerable communities, such as migrant labourers, waste pickers, single mothers, artisans and sex workers. It is to cushion the impact of the crisis on these sections, and to ensure their access to essentials, that not-for-profit organizations sending out appeals for funds. And one such NGO in Mangaluru, is the ‘Team Bolar’ , founded in the year 2016, comprising of nearly 80 members at present.
Ever since its inception, this Bolar, Mangaluru based not-for-profit organisation has worked for the urban poor by introducing sustainable livelihoods through an area-based community model, and have undertaken various community projects, by donating food/funds to Ashrams, old-age homes, organizing tableau during Dasara Mangaladevi and Marigudi festivals, organized Ifthar Get-Together where Biriyani and other items distributed during the occasion, distribution of Kuswar and other essentials to the Christian community during Christmas, and when a PUC College student of St Aloyisus PUC, Mangaluru lost her leg in a train accident (Ref: Despite losing Right Leg in Train Accident 18 yr-old Girl Writes II PUC Exam with Courage ), they paid for her artificial leg and other expenses- and these are just a few of the community services that Team Bolar has been doing since four years
When we think of daily-wage earners, and other migrant labourers hired by construction firms (now totally ignored by them), their income too has stopped after the covid-19 lockdown. They face the challenge of both societal non-acceptance and financial burden, and in this time of the hour where the help from NGO’s is very much solicited, and Team Bolar came forward to help such people in this time of distress and agony. Among the front lines of India’s battle against corona-virus are waste pickers, who ensure our city is clean and garbage-free. But given the nature of their work, they are also among the communities most vulnerable to infections. And they too were on the list of Team Bolar, who gave them the essentials, because most workers supplement their income by selling scrap, and with scarp shops being closed, they have no income.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Avinash Bolar, the Founder member of Team Bolar said, “When we saw the pathetic situations of the migrant workers, low wage labourers and other poor people who lack food and other essentials who swung into action to provide them the necessities, and we started our work from 27 March and still going on. All the expenses are borne by the contribution made by generous people locally, nationally and from abroad, and including contribution from our members. Daily to supply the required essentials for nearly 50-60 families we need at least Rs 50-55 thousand, with nearly Rs 1000 worth of commodities provided tom the needy”
“We have served the needy community in the areas of Bolar, Jappinamogaru, Bejai, Konchadi, Kodikal, and many other areas, and the donation is done to families irrespective of class or religion. When we get the call for help from these needy people, we first check whether the family needs help, and then only we go forward with the donation. Our daily individual family kit comprises of 10 kg rice, 2 kg onion, 1 litre Ruchi Gold oil, 1 kg Dhal, 1 Kg salt, 2 kg potatoes, and other condiments like chilli powder, papadam, tea powder etc, and each food kit is around Rs 1000, and such kits are donated to 50-60 families daily. And we will keep our donation drive depending on our funds availability, which we are confident that our generous well-wishers and donors will not let us down in our efforts in helping those families in need during this lockdown” added Avinash.
He further said, “It gives us immense joy when these needy family members come running towards us when we visit their homes, and after we have donated the items, we see miles of smiles on their faces, which makes us proud that we have made a difference in others lives. Even though it is sad to see these people in such situation, our efforts is only to keep them happy in this time of need, and hoping that God will bless us for what we do to the community in need. I humbly request others also to come forward and share part of their wealth, and contributing either financially or help them through their commodities/essentials. Let us join together and eradicate hunger when the city is under lockdown, and when many families are in need of our helping hands”.
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