Udupi: ‘We Belleans Help Group’ distributes 750 dry food kits to needy families

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 13 Jun 2021: With the Covid 19 crisis raging throughout the country resulting in lockdowns and lack of opportunities to earn their livelihood a large number of people have been facing dire scarcity of food items. Realizing the plight of such families a number of philanthropic organizations have been helping the needy people in various ways. ‘We Belleans Help Group’ that emerged barely a week ago took up the challenge of providing 750  dry food kits to needy villagers covering the jurisdiction of Belle Grama Panchayat.

 

The initiative to provide succor to the needy families of Belle was taken by Valerian Alva, presently in the USA who contacted Elias D’Souza on Tuesday 8 June 2021and suggested that in the time of need, those Belleans who could afford to help the needy should come together  and provide the necessary help, especially food and other day to day use items to the economically disadvantaged families. In turn, Elias D’Souza contacted Vincent Fernandes, Conrad Mendonca and Neville D’Souza who readily agreed and formed the core committee along with Valerian Alva of  ‘We Belleans Help Group’.

 

Using different social media platforms, the Core Committee made an appeal for donations from Belleans spread across India and abroad. The response was overwhelming. Within short period financial assistance was sent and assured by a large number of Belleans that amounted to around four lakhs of rupees.

With this financial backing, the Core Committee made arrangements to put together the dry food kits comprising of 16 food and other daily use items costing around Rs.650/-. Few people contributed in kind such as rice and face masks. 

 

The list of the needy families was collected through the local leaders. Having got the list the Core Committee members along with volunteers started distributing the dry food kits from Thursday, 10 June and continued on Friday, Saturday and completed the task of distribution of 750 kits on Sunday 13 June 2021 using their own vehicles as well as hiring a tempo on Sunday as there was heavy rain. 

 

The humanitarian work that was undertaken by ‘We Belleans Help Group’ within  a short period of   five days manifests  that a small idea with good intention can motivate people and turn into a social movement that would benefit the needy people in the community. The members of the Core Committee and the volunteers  who worked tirelessly for the six days and the large number of  donors who contributed whatever amount they could have the satisfaction that they have contributed in providing some help to the needy people who have been adversely affected due to the scourge of Covid 19.