Chatrapur: The MEAL (Making Essential Items Available in Lockdown) initiative, launched by Ganjam District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) to help the needy and destitute people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, got overwhelming response in the district mobilizing the volunteers to donate generously for the programme.
Through the initiative, the DRDA aims to collect dry food packets from generous donors for distribution among the needy at this time crisis. A single food packet consists of rice (5 kg), pulse (1 kg), edible oil (1 litter), soybean (1 kg), salt (1 kg) and spices (200 gram).
The members of civil society, NGOs and donors have come forward and lent a helping hand by donating dry foods for the ‘MEAL’ programme.
While Youth for Social Development, a Berhampur-based NGO has pledged packets for 2500 families, Bijay Pattnaik of Good News Charitable and Educational Trust donated 150 packets.
Similarly, Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan has contributed food packets for 100 families.
Talking about the initiative, PD DRDA Er Sidhartha Sankar Swain said that the agency strives to provide the needy with additional nutritional security through MEAL.
The DRDA has distributed food packets to more than 140 families in Chatrapur. It is covering others areas under the initiative.
Meanwhile, the PD DRDA has once again appealed the people to donate generously for the MEAL programme.