Amidst the challenges brought on by the 2020 lockdown and the pandemic's impact, Paritosh Pant emerged as an inspirational youth neighborhood hero, instilling hope in humanity through his community-driven initiative, 'Feeding From Far.' This hunger relief program aimed to support distressed communities during these difficult times.
Paritosh's journey began with the closure of his restaurant chain, 'Too Much Drama,' in Navi Mumbai, run by hearing-impaired individuals, due to the pandemic's restrictions. He turned to social media to showcase his culinary skills but soon realized he could do more to help those in need. Overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility, he launched 'Feeding From Far' as a means to provide tangible assistance and empower the locals.
In an interview with TheCSRUniverse, Paritosh shares the inspiring journey of 'Feeding From Far,' the challenges faced in implementing a large-scale hunger relief program amid COVID restrictions, impactful moments that emerged from their efforts, and his vision for empowering community leaders. He also recalls a heartwarming incident where they were able to provide daily food supply to a family in Dharavi, saving them from contemplating self-immolation.
Additionally, he highlights the program's significant achievement of distributing over 37 lakh meals across Mumbai. He further emphasizes the role of social impact leaders in addressing societal challenges in India and the need to encourage more individuals to become social entrepreneurs, with access to capital, mentorship, and awareness campaigns playing crucial roles.
Looking ahead, he envisions leveraging technology to scale up the initiative and create a socially-led digital product offering, aiming to eradicate hunger in India and beyond.
To learn more about the remarkable journey and goals of 'Feeding From Far,' read the full interview below.
Q&A
Q. What inspired you to start 'Feeding From Far' as a community-driven initiative, for hunger mitigation during the pandemic, and how did your previous venture, 'Too Much Drama', and the challenges you faced with it shape your innovative and risk-taking approach in launching 'Feeding From Far'?
A. During a crucial moment, I found myself having to close down my restaurant chain, Too Much Drama, located in Navi Mumbai, just like many others in March 2020. The USP of my maiden venture was that it was run by hearing-impaired individuals, making it impractical to continue operating solely through delivery services. As a chef, I deeply missed the vibrant energy of the kitchen, so I turned to social media and began showcasing my culinary expertise through Instagram Live. Little did I know that this decision would completely transform my perspective!
One day, while I was baking pav, a beloved staple food in our city, it dawned on me that instead of simply exhibiting my skills online, I had the opportunity to offer tangible assistance to people. The realization struck me with a pang of guilt, as I believed I hadn't been doing enough to help. It was this overwhelming sense of responsibility that motivated me to take decisive action and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
So Feeding From Far (FFF) was born out of my desire to help distressed communities around me in the wake of the pandemic. Moreover, at a time when I believed I had to exercise my power and responsibility both as a “privileged” neighbour and a citizen.
As a 29-year-old graduate from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai, I also took the opportunity to extend a helping hand by posting a message on my Instagram account, offering assistance to those in need. The response I received was overwhelming. Many people pointed out that Govandi was a particularly vulnerable area, with a significant population of daily-wage workers who were struggling to feed their families after losing their jobs. It was this realization that led me to initiate "Feeding From Far."
Originally conceived as a community kitchen aimed at empowering the locals, the project soon transformed into a food-distribution initiative to provide more comprehensive support. The name "Feeding From Far" stems from the social distancing norms that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to reach as many people as possible, we adopted a decentralized approach to deliver ration and essential supplies through the assistance of local volunteers.
Q. The initiative has made a significant impact in providing meals to communities in need. Could you elaborate on the challenges you faced in implementing such a large-scale hunger relief program, especially with COVID restrictions in place? How did you overcome those challenges?
A. I’ve always believed that if your intentions are pure, the universe conspires to realize what your heart is set on, no matter the stumbling blocks on the way.
While the perceived challenge was to scale operations and the logistics of serving societies across geographies in the middle of a nationwide lockdown, our volunteer-driven strategy helped turn this into an “exemplary” reality.
During the first two days, I personally witnessed the chaos that ensued as our project, primarily led by inexperienced locals, became disorganized. To address these challenges, I took charge and developed a comprehensive project plan. My first step was to divide the Govandi area into 45 sub-locations and assemble dedicated teams while emphasizing the importance of strong work ethics.
Additionally, I ensured the establishment of a functional kitchen. We enlisted the help of around 60 volunteers from Govandi, each assigned to specific teams such as the kitchen team, packing team, storage team, delivery team, sub-location distribution volunteers, and security team. To prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved, we implemented a strict system. A formidable bouncer stationed at the entrance, equipped with a temperature gun and liquid soap, diligently ensured that every team member complied with COVID protocols, including handwashing, mask-wearing, and adherence to necessary guidelines.
To maintain organization and efficiency, each team was provided with identification cards and given a designated timeframe to complete their tasks. Once their assigned work was finished, they would promptly move out, allowing the next team to take over.
These incredible volunteers were local residents who had been an integral part of the community for many years, and their familiarity and connections were invaluable to our efforts. Their involvement offline was instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of our initiative.
In addition to the local volunteers, we garnered support of approximately 50 individuals from around the world who formed another crucial team. They assisted me in managing the various online activities associated with our project. Their contributions played a vital role in coordinating logistics, organizing resources, and maintaining communication channels to reach out to those in need effectively. The collective effort of both the on-ground and online teams allowed us to make a significant impact and provide essential and timely support to the communities we have been able to serve.
Q. Your work with 'Feeding From Far' has garnered recognition and accolades. Could you share some of the most impactful moments or stories that have emerged from your efforts in mitigating hunger and supporting disadvantaged communities?
A. I remember a family of five in Dharavi that was contemplating self-immolation because survival was becoming challenging. We were fortunate enough to tap into that area well in time and assure them of their daily food supply. When the family came and expressed their gratitude to me, that moment truly felt like I had served a purpose much larger than my mortal self could have ever envisioned.
What started as a social media post turned into one of the nation's largest food dispensaries and as of today, we have distributed over 37 lakh meals across Mumbai and that itself is a highlight of our story.
Additionally, the love and support from icons such as Ab De Villiers have been truly inspiring. As one of the best batsmen in modern times, when I spoke to him and he showered flowers on the outreach and efforts that team Feeding From Far had ascertained, it made me truly emotional. Seeing him wear a jersey with my name on it for one of the Royal Challengers Bangalore matches and recognizing our hard work while calling us his inspiration, it was surreal.
Up until then we barely even thought it was such a big deal because we were more focused on strengthening the outcome and hadn’t got a lot of time to retrospect and celebrate how far we’d come.
Q. Empowering community leaders from marginalized sections of society is an integral part of your work. How do you go about identifying and supporting these leaders? What kind of systems and resources are provided to enable them to address hunger and other pressing issues?
A. We strongly believe that sustainable change can be achieved by supporting and uplifting local leaders who understand the unique challenges and needs of their communities. In identifying these leaders, we employ a grassroots approach. We actively engage with community members who have demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing hunger and related issues. These leaders often emerge naturally within the community, as they possess a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by their peers.
Once we identify these remarkable individuals, we provide them with comprehensive support systems and resources. Our focus is on capacity-building, which involves training and skill development programs tailored to their specific needs. We equip them with knowledge and tools to effectively tackle drives in their communities, helmed by the central team at Feeding From Far.
Moreover, we facilitate networking opportunities for these leaders, connecting them with experienced volunteers at FFF. By fostering collaborations and providing mentorship, we strive to enhance their capabilities and broaden their impact. In the initial stages, they 'buddy-along' with our core team, gaining experience and understanding. Eventually, we entrust them with more responsibility, while our core team continues to offer support and supervision.
Our ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where these empowered community leaders continue to spearhead hunger-mitigation efforts long after our initial intervention, by investing in their potential, we believe that we can create lasting impact and inspire a wave of change that extends far beyond our volunteer-driven initiative.
Q. What role do you believe social impact leaders play in addressing societal challenges, particularly in the context of India, and what steps can be taken to encourage and support more individuals to become social entrepreneurs while strengthening the ecosystem to foster their growth and impact?
A. Social impact leaders drive meaningful change by identifying gaps in the system and implementing innovative solutions.
In the context of India, where disparities and social issues are prevalent, social impact leaders can bridge the gap between communities and resources by posing as harbingers of change. They can bring much-needed attention to issues like hunger, poverty, and inequality, and act as ‘transformers.’ By leveraging their passion, knowledge, and networks, they can create sustainable models that empower individuals, uplift communities, and drive inclusive development.
To encourage and support more individuals to become social entrepreneurs, we need to focus on three key steps. Firstly, we must raise awareness about social entrepreneurship as a viable career path from elementary schools. We need to stop treating it as a ‘fallback’ or a ‘passion’ career and approach it equitably.
Through targeted campaigns, educational initiatives, and collaboration with academic institutions, we can inspire and motivate more young people to consider social entrepreneurship.
Also, access to capital and resources is essential. Establishing funding opportunities, grants, and impact investment networks specifically designed for social entrepreneurs can provide the financial backing required to scale their initiatives. Government and state/federal interventions to incentivize social entrepreneurship can also help boost interest levels. Additionally, creating mentorship programs, incubators, and accelerators that offer guidance, training, and support will enable budding social entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and build successful ventures.
By nurturing and supporting social entrepreneurs, we can create sustainable models for inclusive development and positively impact millions in India.
Q. India's global hunger index standing underscores the emphasis on food security and hunger elimination. What do you think are the key factors contributing to this issue, and what strategies can be implemented to improve India's standing in terms of food security?
A. India’s global hunger index standing is appalling to say the least and it is imperative that we realize this before it’s irreversible. Primarily, poverty and income inequality play a significant role. Many vulnerable communities in India struggle to access nutritious food due to limited financial resources. Addressing poverty and promoting inclusive economic growth are crucial in improving food security.
Inadequate food storage and distribution systems lead to significant food losses and wastage. So, strengthening storage facilities, developing efficient supply chains, and implementing technology-driven solutions can help reduce post-harvest losses and ensure better food distribution. Moreover, strengthening social safety nets and implementing targeted programs for marginalized communities can ensure their access to nutritious food as well as initiatives such as subsidized food distribution, school feeding programs, and community-led food security projects. Additionally, promoting sustainable and diversified food production, encouraging local food systems, and enhancing nutrition education can contribute to improved food security outcomes.
It is important to understand that poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and hunger are all interlinked and tackling this piece-meal may not be the most effective way to get rid of all hunger related issues in the long run.
Q. How will technology scale the initiative and empower leaders for social change? Additionally, how do you plan to sustain and expand 'Feeding From Far' geographically for long-term impact?
A. Technology can play a consequential role in decentralizing the social development sector and can simplify the act of community welfare and we at Feeding From Far are working on a digital product to the same tune. There is a pressing need for a validation-based tool to help people accelerate, initiate and solve social issues. To do this successfully, crowdfunds should be integrated, and there should be proper checklists on how to run the campaign to ensure the benefits reach a larger section of society.
Moreover, social media platforms and content creators should be roped in to further spread awareness of such individual initiatives, thus giving rise to the much-needed consciousness about social development. Constant and continued conversations will keep the fire burning.
Additionally, digitalization will enable data backed decision making while technology such as blockchain can bring about transparency in financial transactions. Also, it will allow better connectivity and communication among remote societies while IoT and Unified Payment systems will help increase the share of underserved communities in the formal economy. Technology can streamline efforts and help in effective monitoring and evaluation of efforts through the whole project cycle.
We intend to expand to other parts of India in times to come and win this war against hunger not only at a pan India level but on a global scale too.
