IMPACT of providing Grocery Kits to needy families in collaboration with RIST-PFC – Karur District– Phase III – Tamil Nadu

Annapoorna Trust in collaboration with ‘Rural India Supporting Trust’ (RIST) and ‘Partnerships For Change’ (PFC) has been reaching out to support the families of 15000 Government Mid-Day Meal (MDM) cooks. 

As a part of this relief programme during Phase-III of the project, 100 needy daily wage labourers, families of transgenders, and helpers in Thanneerpalli and Manavasi of Karur district of Tamil Nadu received 1 Month dry ration kits on 02-Jan-2022. 

As a result of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic that is gripping the world, according to the World Bank report, overall poverty rate is expected to rise.  The lower strata of the society are facing the greatest impact due to loss of jobs or reduced income and people of all walks of life are struggling to lead a normal life. With rise in unemployment rate and a decline in income in several households, several informal workers, families, labourers are getting pushed into deeper poverty.  Annapoorna Trust in collaboration with ‘Rural India Supporting Trust’ (RIST) and ‘Partnerships For Change’ (PFC) have come forward to the assistance of vulnerable populations.

Each grocery kit consists of 10kg of rice, 2kg wheat, 2kg rava, 1kg toor dal, 1litre cooking oil, 2 kg chana dal, 50g mustard, and 2 packets of vermicelli.

Grocery distribution event at Thanneerpalli and Manavasi took place on 02-Jan-2022 in the presence of Mr. Manickam – MLA of Kulithalai constituency, Mr. Saravanan & Mr. Nagaraj – Regional co-ordinators Tamil Nadu, Mr. Chandru – Karur coordinator. Mr Manickam appreciated Annapoorna Trust’s incessant efforts towards the upliftment of society, be it during these covid times or the floods. He was happy to note that, dry ration kits were being provided in Karur to transgenders who are a neglected lot in society. They have also faced severe difficulties during the pandemic. He also discussed with our Trustee, Mr. Sathyanarayana to expand the Morning Nutrition Programme to 20 govt schools around Thanneerpalli and Manavasi villages and extended support in this initiative from the administrative end.

An aged woman by name Mani expressed her gratitude by saying, “My name is Mani. We live in Thanneerpalli village, Kulithalai Circle, Karur district. We thank wholeheartedly Annapoorna Trust for having provided provisions which would last for over a month.”

The transgenders in the community who received the relief material showed their immense gratitude. One of the transgenders, Renuka came forward and expressed, “Our salutations to all. My name is Renuka, and I am a transgender person. I live in Thirunangai nagar, Manavasi village of Karur district. We suffered in many ways during the COVID times. We, transgender people, are very thankful towards their gesture & thank Sri Sai Annapoorna Trust, RIST & PFC for having provided us a pack of provisions that will suffice for a month. We request for similar help to be extended to us whenever we suffer from these uncertain situations like COVID, floods etc. Annapoorna Trust is worthy of gratitude.”

Further on, Annakkili spoke, “My name is Annakkili. I live in Thanneerpalli village, Karur district. Many thanks to Annapoorna Trust for having given provisions during these COVID times.

Another transgender by name Surya narrated the difficulties faced by them and expressed gratitude for helping them – “Salutations. My name is Surya. We live in Thirunangai nagar, Manavasi village, Karur district. There are around 100 transgender people living in this place. We suffered a lot during the rainy season and during COVID pandemic. We have now received relief package from Annapoorna Trust & RIST foundation due to which all 100 of us have been benefited.”

A Transgender by name Sarada also spoke as, “My name is Sarada, transgender from Manavasi. We used to suffer a lot due to rains and floods. Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust along with RIST & PFC foundations have helped us a lot indeed! We express our heartfelt thanks to Sadguru Maharaj and wish that they grow manifold and are able to serve the needy in many more ways!”

To know more about Annapoorna’s intervention and relief activities during the covid pandemic, glance through our content and newsletters at COVID-19 Support