Hyderabad: Feed the Need Refrigerators shy of donators

Hyderabad: The refrigerators being maintained by the GHMC to feed the needy have turned ineffective in most locations. The lockdown has discouraged most contributors who used to deposit food items in the refrigerators thus impacting its maintenance.

Of the 36 refrigerators installed in the city, approximately 20 were not working currently. They were conceptualised to encourage people who wished to donate food. They were made accessible to both donors and the needy 24/7, thereby minimising waste and ensuring assistance for the hungry through community collaboration.

"In the beginning these refrigerators gave good support and fed many hungry people. While some Good Samaritans would buy food and place it in the fridge afresh, hoping nothing in return. Now this fridge is not functioning. Had it been running it would have helped someone satiate their hunger," said B Raghavendra, who stays near Srinagar Colony.

But following the lockdown, it was observed that most refrigerators in the GHMC limits were not working and barely used, which also affected their maintenance. In some areas, even the apparatus was damaged, as trays of the refrigerators went missing. In other areas glass panels were found broken and the power connection snapped.

The 'Feed the Need' initiative was taken up by the Apple Home Foundation in collaboration with GHMC on January 31, 2019. In the beginning the refrigerators were well maintained by the caretaker, with GHMC providing the place and electricity.

Dr Neelima Arya , founder of Apple Home, said the foundation had come up with the idea and, with the help of GHMC, installed 300 fridges.

She acknowledged the present status of the fridges and hoped that GHMC would once again focus on their maintenance.

"Every day municipal authorities come to clean the roads and it would be good if they take care of the fridges and restore electric connections. NGOs are coming up with ideas and implementing them. For that government and people's support is also needed," she added.