A street dog looks on as a Catholic volunteer hands over a food packet to a destitute man on a street of central India's Indore city on March 26.
Photo: Atmadarshan A Catholic media group in India has initiated a campaign to feed the poor as a government-imposed lockdown has forced hundreds living on the streets to go hungry.
The ‘feed a stomach’ campaign, which was started by internet telecast Atmadarshan (soul light) TV based in Indore city, was launched to provide food to the homeless in the area.
“We are distributing food packets to 50 poor people on the streets daily,” said Fr Anand Chirayath, director of the channel.
India has approximately 1.77 million homeless people living on the streets, mostly begging or doing odd jobs for food.
However, last week’s countrywide lockdown has left them hungry, the priest said.
“This has created a serious survival problem for the thousands of abandoned who are dependent on alms for their sustenance,” he said.
Fr Chirayath said the initiative had received a positive response from the public.
“Many have come forward to help. Our attempt has also prompted some others to express a desire to engage in similar activities in their areas.”