Mangalore: KACES 'Meals on Wheels' Rolls to Welcome Reception

Pics: Savitha B R
By Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jun 30: It is said that a human being would go to any extent to satisfy his hunger. While this is true of young people, one cannot say the same logic applies to people who are sick, bedridden, old and grey or are unable to cook for themselves for varied reasons. "Meals on Wheels", a novel and useful concept in Mangalore, introduced by Balmata Service League through "Sahaya", run by Karnataka Christian Educational Society (KACES), has become operational from June this year. If the initial response of the people to this facility is anything to go by, it has come in for lot of appreciation from the senior citizens who find it an opportune service, just the type of service they were yearning for. About 28 people in Mangalore are availing this facility within a month of its service becoming operational.

"Meals on Wheels" is the brain child of KACES Secretary Dr Honney Kabral who felt that hunger is a serious threat facing the senior citizens everywhere and Mangalore is no exception. Taking a hint from some known elderly people, who came calling at KACES, many of whom had no other alternative for healthy, hygienic, digestible and home cooked food, Dr Honey Cabral took the initiative to start this service primarily to cater to the needs of the old, sick and the needy. Though this service facility of providing fresh food at the doorsteps of the people who avail the facility is in the incipient stage, it has won the goodwill of many senior citizens and their family members, who consider it as a ‘god-send’ gift for them at the twilight of their lives. 72 year old Ida Fernandes of Shivabhag, who has availed "Meals on Wheels" says "I am using the facility provided by Sahaya and so far I find the meals, tasty and hygiene and for the money we pay I must pay it is damn good. I have recommended it to some of my friends also because I like their approach and also the quality of the food".

PRO of "Sahaya", Rev Sandeep Theophil says, "Meals on Wheels basically caters to people who are old, sick, bed-ridden or injured so that they don’t have to hungry. Today many households have difficulty in getting a proper domestic help to cook and take care of the aged and sick and therefore, the aged couple or those who live alone face the mighty task of cooking which also involves shopping for grocery and other day-to-day requirements. Providing food at their doorsteps saves them from lot of hardships troubles related to cooking". 76 year old Ida Pais of K S Rao Road, who lives all alone, is quite agile and active for her age but was not inclined to undergo the wearisome task of cooking. So when she came to know about "Meals on wheels", she was the first one to opt for the facility and she says she is happy with her decision. "My meal comes before 1 pm and it is sufficient for me for both times. It has saved me time and all other hassles of shopping for grocery. The food is good and they have catered to my special specifications", she explains.

To start with, "Sahaya" provides only afternoon meals and on specific routes within a radius of 10 kms within the city. But it has plans to expand its services at a future date, that includes providing breakfast, depending on the reception it gets over a period of few months and also the number of people who avail this opportunity. "We hope we will be able to run this service uninterruptedly if we are able to have at least 100 members regularly. Our idea is not to aim for any profits and that is why we are charging a nominal fee", says Dr Honey Cabral, who took the bold and rather courageous step of coming to the rescue of the senior citizens with this service. It is a valiant effort for the simple reason that catering to the specific needs of the elderly is easier said than done. When it comes to senior citizens special care needs to be taken with regard to their diet, their preferences, their medical condition, hygiene and the way the food is cooked.

But that has not dispirited Honey Cabral. He has rather taken it as a challenge and after overcoming the initial hiccups "Meals on Wheels is has plaudits from those whom it is meant for. For example most of the senior citizens have age-related health problems such as diabetes, blood pressure etc., and therefore use of potato; yam has to be avoided when it comes to sugar patients and less oil and salt to be used for blood pressure patients. Some preferred only chapattis and some only rice. But Sahaya has been able to modify their plans according to the needs of its consumers, and the elders have appreciated their efforts to fulfill their individual needs.

Honey Cabral is well aware of the challenge on hand and says, "Though at the moment there is no problem, I know that grievances will start after sometime. To prevent that we try to change the menu as often as possible so that monotony is avoided and there is something new to look forward to". Sahaya has availed the services of a dietician who charts out food menu to be provided. A new kitchen has been set up with an initial investment of Rs 2 lacs with steam cooking range which will have to be expanded when the need increases. Luckily for KACES, Jagadeesh, a businessman from Bangalore came forward and donated about Rs 2 lacs for setting up the kitchen. "The main course of the meal i.e rice and sambar is prepared at this kitchen and then assembled. We have competent men who carry out the specifications of the customers and look into other minutest details", Rev Sandeep states. A classmate of Dr Cabral settled in Canada, was greatly fascinated by the concept and donated Rs 10,000/- for this project. Another student who recently got a job has donated half of his first salary for this project.

Sahaya’s modus operandi is simple. It provides both vegetarian and non-vegetarian option of food. At present vegetarian meal that includes chapatti, rice, sambar and pulses/vegetables costs Rs 40/- a meal and a non-vegetarian meal comprising rice, chapatti, fish, meat or egg costs Rs 50/- a meal. But the beauty of the facility is that the quantity of the meals provided is sufficient for most of them for both noon and night and economically too it works out quite reasonable. "It is really a boon and has come in handy for many elderly who live all alone and are unable to cook for themselves", Ida Fernandes states. A deposit of Rs 500 is collected (towards Tiffin carriers) as each customer will have to be provided with two careeRs An auto driver has been given the responsibility of delivering the food at the doorstep before 1 pm. The previous day’s Tiffin will be collected at the time of the delivery of food. At present Sahaya covers areas like Falnir, Attavar, Marnamikatta, Morgans Gate, Pandeshwar, PVS Building, K S Rao Road, KSRTC, Bejai and Bendoor but has plans to reach out to a wider radius in the near future, depending on the viability factor. Whenever someone calls up "Sahaya" to avail this facility, the officials personally visit the house and make necessary arrangements for delivering the food in time.

"It is not enough just to deliver the food; we feel that the service has to be rendered with a smiling face. The delivery person also has to note down their specific suggestions and grievances and try to accommodate changes as far as possible", states Dr Cabral. Dr Cabral who has ambitious plans to expand this current field of activity and to reach out to the deprived sections of the society opines: "It is my dream to provide food to the senior citizens who cannot afford to pay for their food. To realize this dream we are going to have an understanding with NGOs who can help identify such people in their area so as to provide food at subsidized rates from our side and free of cost if someone sponsors it. Our ultimate aim is that everyone should get at least one meal a day".

KACES has plans to come up with a hostel for women, the foundation stone for which has already been laid and work is in progress. It is a one crore project and KACES has collected about Rs 20 lacs for this purpose. Dr Cabral also has a plan to come out with "happy homes" to cater to the senior citizens. The happy homes are basically cottages or one room flats (a paid service) to provide a decent home for the seniors to spend their final years in peace and happiness. Dr Cabral believes in the dictum of ‘preach what you practice" and recites this beautiful Kannada poem "Hullau Bettadadadi Manege Malligeyagu…" of D V Gundappa, well known writer and man of letters to substantiate what he says and steadfastly believes in. The English version of the poem reads:

Be like the tiny grass that grows
In the crevices of a giant mountain's feet,
Be like the fragrant jasmine flower
Which fills up the air with perfume sweet,
Stand like a rock if destiny cruel
Showered you with hardships, big and small,
Be sweet as rock candy to people in distress,
O naive one, just be one among all.

"Meals on Wheels" is one of many such attempts on the part of Sahaya and KACES to be like the grass on the mountains.

If anyone is interested to opt for meals on wheels can call 9343161790 or 0824-2422859, says Dr Cabral.