At the doorsteps of families in need
Sahamarmita Foundation, a voluntary organisation, is providing food assistance to people -- especially middle- and low-income families -- during the ongoing shutdown amid coronavirus pandemic.
The Savar-based group started helping people around 10 days ago with a target to provide essentials to 10,000 families across the country, said its members.
As of April 15, they distributed food to 850 families in Dhaka, Cumilla, Rajshahi and Chattogram, said Parvez Hasan, founder president of Sahamarmita.
"People in need contact us over the phone at numbers given on our Facebook group. Later, we reach those items to their doorsteps," he said.
"We maintain the assistance seekers' privacy," Parvez added.
They are offering daily essentials in three packages -- one-week, two-week and one-month, said members, adding that the items include rice, lentils, potato, edible oil and soap.
"We are prioritising the middle-income people. The group cannot seek help from others like the poor do, due to social stigma," said foundation president Parvez Hasan.
More than half of the families who have received help belong to middle-income group, he said. "We have taken the initiative so that none has to starve."
Parvez urged the country's well-off individuals to stand by the poor and middle-income people during the crisis.
Sahamarmita Foundation was launched in January last year. It works for the welfare of poor children and destitute families. Currently, it has 2,000 members, mostly youths, across the country. They collect funds from their members, said Parvez.
Afzal Hossen, former principal of Ashulia School and College in Savar, told The Daily Star that other youngsters should get inspired by the foundation's noble activities.
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