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Weekly meals for neighbors in need in Pune

Imran runs a volunteer pantry feeding 353 families; this fund restocks shelves for the school holidays.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ Pune, Maharashtra, India755 views
Imran Rakib Ahmed
Email verified
Pune
Since 2020, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Thursday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 27 families, and now we feed 353 each week. Donations have dropped by about 58% this school holidays, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 18 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Pune market and keep every receipt. Each $5 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $250 goes: โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $20 โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $195 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $35 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure.

Updates from Imran

  1. Update from Pune: we've started the first stage. We're at 4% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $112.50
  • Hatem Omar Mourad ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $20
  • Inna Alyona Belov ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $10

    โ€œWishing you the best. Gave what I could this week. - Odesaโ€

Reviews

3.0(8 reviews)

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

  • Manit Ittipol Thongchai๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญVerified helper
    Genuine person with a big heart

    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.

  • Fahad Salman Sandhu๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Yasir Adnan Hussain๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified donor
    Changed my perspective

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Arthur Thomas Nguyen๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

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

  • Julieta H. Delgado๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Jerome A. Ocampo๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญVerified donor
    Delivered on promises

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Karina E. Rojas๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Made me feel heard

    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.

  • Garba Chidi Nwosu๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

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

Questions & comments

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  • this could happen to any of us. Wish I lived closer to Belo Horizonte so I could bring a meal.

    • sending good thoughts. More neighborhoods should do this. God bless.

      • Thanks for sharing this, Imran. More neighborhoods should do this. Please keep us posted

        $142.50 raised of $250

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