City NGO bags Global Humanitarian Award

Coimbatore: City-based non-governmental organization No Food Waste has bagged the Global Humanitarian Award for exemplary service in 12 cities in the southern part of the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The award was bestowed by World Humanitarian Drive (WHD) under the category Pillars of Society. Out of the 1,600 nominations from across the world, as many as 100 individuals, organizations and community groups from 35 countries were awarded through a virtual honouring ceremony.
Volunteers of the NGO distributed food to over 18.35 lakh people and grocery kits to 18,568 families since the lockdown was imposed. They collect surplus food from weddings and other functions to distribute among the people in need. They had set up a centralized kitchen to serve the people in need and had been distributing over 15,000 food plates per day. They had been working closely with the city corporation and other organizations.
“Ever since the lockdown was relaxed, we have been focusing on distributing grocery kits to the families in need. Using corporate donations, we have been distributing milkshakes and biscuits to people,” said NGO founder Padmanaban Gopalan. He credited the volunteers, who had been working tirelessly during the lockdown period, for the achievement.
Expressing happiness on being selected for the award, A Ashiq, an 18-year-old volunteer of the NGO, said it will make others join their cause.
No Food Waste plans to launch a subsidised meal programme to ensure that those who do not have access to kitchens, get food at an affordable price, Padmanaban said. “As the number of Amma Unavagams are limited in the district and most of the messes and food carts are yet to resume business, many people are struggling to meet their expenses,” he added.