Every Sunday afternoon a group arrives at the compound of Dr. Carmo Gracias Hospital in Margao, feeds the 250-300 poor people gathered there and disappears over an hour later. This group is the ‘Divine Soup Kitchen’ which aims to provide one square meal to the needy every week, many of whom go days without proper food.
This initiative was started by Simon (who prefers his surname and identity be undisclosed) along with a friend after being inspired by a magazine article on a soup kitchen in America. Soup kitchens are common in the West where food is provided free of cost or at subsidized rates to the homeless, poor and hungry. They are slowly gaining popularity in India as well since poverty and hunger are major issues in the country that need to be addressed.
Simon was also motivated by the Biblical quote, ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ and has been living this quote for the last seventeen years devoting every Sunday afternoon towards feeding the hungry in Margao.
The ‘Divine Soup Kitchen’ had its humble beginnings on Christmas day in 1999 when Simon and his friend drove around the city to collect destitute people and give them a meal. That day they managed to find and feed around ten hungry people. Today, that number has grown to around 300 every week. And the group has also expanded to ten like-minded members.
“The self-satisfaction in doing something good and the blessings we get in exchange keeps me going,” says Simon.
The poor belong to all religions and age groups – men, women, children and even whole families turn up. A prayer is said before the meal. The poor sit in lines in the compound of the hospital and the volunteers serve them food. The standard meal consists of rice, dal, chicken pieces and pickle. In case of leftover food, the hungry are given a second helping.
During the initial days, distribution of medicines as well as free consultation by a doctor used to also take place. Detoxification was also conducted for those addicted to alcohol.
“We presently require more volunteers to reach out to the poor,” adds Simon.
Funds are mainly raised through word of mouth with many church groups and people coming forward to donate money. A couple even made a will to finance a meal once a month. Dr. Carmo Gracias is another figure who has played an important role in the functioning of the Divine Soup Kitchen by providing space in the compound of his hospital for the distribution of food apart from water and storage facilities. He also sponsors a meal every month.
The ten good Samaritans who form the Divine Soup Kitchen play a vital part in ensuring that the poor do not go to sleep hungry for at least one day in the week.
Joey Monserrate, a member who travels from Mapusa to Margao every Sunday to lend a helping hand says, “I have always been moved by poverty and injustice hence I began to serve at the soup kitchen. I have been blessed by God beyond my wildest imagination so I thought that I would give back.”
God has certainly blessed the Divine Soup Kitchen since rain has never hampered the serving of the food in all the 17 years of the group’s existence.
“Being a part of the soup kitchen has taught me to appreciate everything that life has to offer. It makes my day to see the look of contentment on their faces after a hearty meal,” says Manoj Patel, a member hailing from Benaulim.
Sunday afternoon is usually a time when families gather around the dining table to enjoy a meal with their loved ones. But during that time, the members of the Divine Soup Kitchen are working to bring the same feeling of a full meal among the homeless, downtrodden, poor and hungry who do not have the means to afford one.
For further details or to sponsor a meal please contact: 9421257750
