“AyyamittuUnn”, a one-line Tamil poem written by Avvaiyar means to “share the food with the needy before you eat”. Aptly named AyyamittuUnn is a community fridge in Chennai installed by Dr Issa Fathima Jasmine. She set up the fridge to help the starving people on the streets of Chennai obtain a home-cooked meal in a dignified manner. The hunger epidemic is one of the main concerns in the country, and a tiny step taken to tackle the issue is indeed a large step for the country.
AyyamittuUnn Has Community Fridges In Chennai & Bangalore
Dr. Issa Fathima Jasmine revealed to The Indian Express that she started the initiative to tackle leftover food at homes that usually go wasted. While earlier she used to give food to a lady sitting outside her home, Dr. Issa wanted to feed others who would also benefit from the food. In order to not embarrass the needy, the orthodontist decided to provide food to them in a simple and dignified manner, by setting up a community fridge. Funding it from her own pocket, she installed one community fridge outside the Besant Nagar Tennis Club in Chennai. There are 8 of these community fridges in Chennai and two in Bangalore.
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People Need To Label Food Items With Expiry Dates Before Donating
People from across the vicinity are requested to first label the food before donating. They are asked to write down the date of preparation and the expiry date on the items. Open from 7 am to 9 pm, this community fridge has been feeding hundreds of needy people. There is also a recruited security guard to ensure a logbook, used to track items, is maintained. This community fridge aims to feed the hungry and also reduce food waste at the same time. Well-wishers can also donate their clothes, shoes, book, toys and other kitchenware at a second charity counter. Curly Tales salutes Dr. Issa Fathima for ensuring we share our food with the needy before we eat.
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