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Weekly meals for elderly neighbors in Faisalabad

Noreen runs a volunteer pantry feeding 91 families; this fund restocks shelves for the rainy season.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan589 views
Noreen Ismail
Email verified
Faisalabad
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run Bread & Beans Kitchen every Friday from the back of a community center. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 91 each week. Donations have dropped by about 43% this rainy season, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 19 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Faisalabad market and keep every receipt. Each $5 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $400 goes: โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $160 โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $145 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $65 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $30 If you're reading this, thank you.

Updates from Noreen

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($60 in total) we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $17
  • Kurniawan Bayu Ramadhan ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $15
  • Emily E. Watson ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25
  • Lydia R. Greene ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $10
  • Dereje Kebede Mulugeta ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡น ยท $35

    โ€œPraying for you. I'm in Addis Ababa, thinking of you.โ€

  • Ha-eun Soo-ah Jin ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $5
  • John D. Price ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $20

    โ€œYou got this! - Savannahโ€

Reviews

3.1(18 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Kannan Warrier๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified donor
    Trustworthy helper

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Paloma Pรฉrez๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ดVerified donor
    Patient and understanding

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Sana Jatoi๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified helper
    Exceeded expectations

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Beth B. Scott๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Ryan Johnson๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Goro Ando๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Eva Wade๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Narayan Subedi๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified helper
    Practical and effective help

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Sofรญa C. Tapia๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Genuine person with a big heart

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Mangesh Bhosale๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Wendy J. Torres๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Exceptional service

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Valentyna Ivanov๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บVerified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Wellington Costa๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Changed my perspective

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Dedi Nugroho๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Santiago R. Ramirez๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Rowan F. Gill๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    The support I received was beyond what I expected. Not only did they help with the immediate need, but they also provided guidance for long-term solutions. I'm forever grateful.

  • Raรบl Peรฑa๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Trustworthy helper

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Rafael N. Magsaysay๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญVerified helper
    Delivered on promises

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

Questions & comments

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  • Take care, Noreen. Hope you get there. Please keep us posted. Love from Dhaka

    • Hang in there, Noreen. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Don't give up. Thinking of Faisalabad.

      • is it paid to the wholesaler directly?

        • Noreen IsmailOwnerAnswer

          I pay the wholesaler and post the receipt here so you can see where it went. Let me know if you want more detail.

      • Sending love, Noreen. Looking forward to the next update.

        • So sorry you're going through this, Noreen. Your post was clear and honest. Put this on a community board in Bergamo this morning. God bless

          • Hope things get better soon, Noreen. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it.

            $127 raised of $400

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