"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step"-Martin Luther King

My coconut meringue cookies

 People say we get our calling...I think I have almost found mine. I was recently added to a wonderful group on Facebook, my thambi (younger brother), S added me as he knows how much I love learning about food, appreciating pictures of food, writing about food and being a part of food related events.

I have learnt so much through the various food related groups he has added me and am indeed so grateful for that learning experience. Honestly, if it weren't for these events that happen from time to time, I would have definitely lost most of my zest to go on...

Having been sort of compelled to retire from my nineteen year old stint as a home tutor owing to my off and on travels to be with my in-laws in our home state and my home here...it has taken a slight toll on my routine and my sensibilities. To add to all that mess is of course the empty nest syndrome, where suddenly both my sons are no longer home and visit us only during their hols/long summer/winter breaks. So it has been a path of unlearning, reinventing and keeping the mind sane doing stuff that I am passionate about or stirs the passion in me.

I have been a part of food groups galore but this particular group that caters to feeding homemade  food to the hungry on the streets at least once a week or depending on one's convenience brought out the true person/my true calling... I have loads of kindness, I may be strict in my tone and will call a spade a spade as I am transparent...it may not go down well with many but I am not a cruel person at all! We all do little acts of kindness in the form of action or deed in our lives but this particular cause touched a chord in my life.

I was elated to be a part of this Food group which is still in its infantile stage and slowly building in numbers area wise as well.

Dates, Oats, Prunes, Cornflakes Cookies

 After making a mental note of the main goal set out for the group, I quickly sprung into action and contacted the person in my area and we chatted and set out our schedule in a matter of seconds. B was so welcoming and it wasn't difficult to follow her or to understand what the main intention was and how to go about it. Being at the age that we both are in, maturity and experience comes in naturally.

Both of us decided what we would prepare as dinner for sharing with the needy or the downtrodden within our radius. She set about with her tamarind rice and as I wanted to do some healthy cookies that included oats, egg whites, dates, cornflakes etc I decided on baking cookies to hand over to the little kids who may hang around the areas that are sort of self demarcated by the poor themselves... to be seen-mostly around temples, parks, shady lanes, behind parked cars in the lanes and the road pavements.

K was also to meet us. Everybody was prompt with the packets as well as respected one another's timings and space. It was impressive to see a youngster such as K with such a huge heart. He brought in around fifty packs of steaming Idlis and sambhar as its accompaniment. And I do hope many more will join this trail to meet our goals unconditionally. I pray that no sort of hidden agenda/ politics is dragged into this and nobody is out for fame such that the purpose or focus is lost.

If this becomes a success, I would really feel elated and my happiness would know no bounds. What can't a multitude of people on a social platform do? It can become a viral cause-The cause can spread like wild fire if only kind hearts would reach out...the money you spend to eat out once a week can be diverted to this needy cause in the form of food packets. One would incur no loss or major damage to one's budget! There is no compulsion and those who voluntarily want to participate or help in the cause may do so.

But it would always be nice to not just be passive volunteers or inactive members in whatsapp groups or the page but to also contribute with either the disposable packaging/the transporting or in preparing the wholesome meal itself.

Oats Cookies

Store-bought buns

 The buns were a last minute add on just incase we found more needy and hungry souls wandering the streets. We ensured that all our packets were distributed earnestly. We found many women in groups seated at bus stands or in the corners of streets. Women on the streets is a sad sight! As a woman I know how much safety and privacy I need!

 There were drunkards as well who were lying in various postures here and there on the roads. K, being the guy dealt with most of them as he voluntarily did so. There were a few who begged for money. But B's husband warned us that it would be just to get drunk so we refrained from that. I must tell you how kind Mr. R was in taking us safely to various locations in his vehicle.

 There was a handicapped man we saw across the road and K and B ran across with packets to offer him but can you believe it he didn't take it saying he already had his lunch! Wow! It is so true that there is no other fulfilment than when one's tummy is full.

Let this cause move forward without any religious sentiments attached either...but only the religion of Kindness in our hearts.

That's the theme of our group.

All the above quotes courtesy Google images.

Facebook Group-FOOD BANK-Chennai