Kolkata school’s food-for-all community initiative a hit in summer heat
Times of India | 28 March 2025
12 Kolkata: In a unique community service initiative, city-based South Point School has placed a meat-safe cabinet just outside its campus for people to access food and water, contributed by its teachers, staff and students, free of cost.
The project,named ‘Sabar Khabar' (Food for All), was planned anticipating a scorching summer ahead. Packets of biscuits, cakes, and puffed rice are kept inside the meat-safe, placed outside the school's gate number 4. Water bottles have been kept on its top.
"It has been over a month, and the ‘free tuck shop' continues to run in full steam, attracting curious locals, kids, tired cyclists, and delivery persons, among others. Every day, except Sundays, the meat-safe, is positioned outside the gate for a few hours in the morning and in the evening. Occasionally, evening tea is also laid out . And all are welcome to partake of what South Point High School happily shares," said Soumi Sengupta, head of English dept. Often, the passersby are hesitant to pick up food packets, unable to believe if it were for free. But the staff encourage them to pick anything from the cabinet at their own discretion.
"And their (passersby) expression is priceless," said Ruplekha Sengupta, an academic coordinator. From delivery persons to students from nearby areas, pedestrians have hailed this ‘noble gesture.' "This initiative has encouraged local residents to contribute in their own ways," said Gayatri Haldar, a resident.
The school has also prepared a "Wall of Happiness," where clothes, mostly for adults, are donated by the school teachers and staff.
Class IX student Soupam Nayak said, "I am feeling elated to be a part of this initiative. We will be happy to participate in many more social works by our school."
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