Sanjhi Rasoi project in city struggles to find volunteers

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 18

A year on, providing a meal at Rs 10 to people is costing dearly to the administration as the community kitchen project is running at a loss. The joint venture between the district administration, District Red Cross Society and Baba Deep Singh Nishkam Sewa Society, a city-based NGO, the Sarb Sanjhi Rasoi being run at Guru Nanak Dev Medical College and Hospital and Civil Hospital at a loss of Rs 7 per meal.

“The two kitchens prepare food for an average of 500 people daily and we provide the meal at the lowest possible price. The preparation of the basic ‘thali’ (plate) costs much more than the price at which it is provided, so bearing the expenses have been quite a task,” informed Fulwinder Singh, president of the NGO and kitchen in charge of the Sanjhi Rasoi.

The first-of-its-kind initiative to provide nutritious meal to the needy had initially attracted a lot of volunteers, who contributed with the supplies and cost of expenses for the kitchen. “But with the passage of time, most of them have withdrawn their support due to reasons best known to them. We have a few volunteers, who help us with maintaining food quality and supervise the functioning of the kitchen,” informed Dr Randhir, secretary, District Red Cross Society.

In a meeting with members of hotels and prominent businessmen in the city recently, Deputy Commissioner Kamaldeep Sangha had urged them to donate to the Sanjhi Rasoi and other outreach programmes of the District Red Cross Society.

Two kitchens being run provide different menu everyday. A basic plate comprises of rice, seasonal vegetable and lentils. “The daily expenditure of running the kitchen includes expenses of gas, electricity, food supplies, salaries of the staff etc. The project aimed at providing low cost, good quality food to the needy. We have been working to just fulfil that everyday,” said Fulwinder Singh.

The kitchen is open from 10 am to 2 pm.

Chief Khalsa Diwan had taken the responsibility to contribute Rs 30,000 per month for Sanjhi Rasoi project at the time of its inauguration. Moreover, the CKD had also offered spacious hygienic kitchen and rooms of CKD Sarai at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital premises for smooth functioning of project.