The Malappuram municipality on Monday launched a unique welfare scheme aimed at providing food to the needy. The scheme titled Food on Wall will ensure food for the poor and the needy by roping in the restaurants in and around Malappuram town.
As many as 64 restaurants have responded positively to the scheme, which will go a long way in converting Malappuram into a hunger-free municipality.
Municipal Chairman K.P. Mustafa said that it was the philanthropic zest of the people of Malappuram which drove him to think differently to address the hunger of the poor.
Anyone can be part of the scheme by making a payment for a meal or two at the restaurant of their choice in Malappuram municipality. Almost all restaurants here have joined the scheme by agreeing to provide meal for a reduced rate.
The payment made for the meal will automatically generate a token that will be hung on the restaurant wall at a visible and easily accessible place.
Anyone requiring a meal for breakfast or lunch or dinner can collect the token from the wall and eat from the restaurant by using it.
“It will not make any discrimination at the restaurant. The needy person will just have to hand over the token at the counter and eat the meal,” said Mr. Mustafa.
The municipality introduced the Food on Wall scheme along with the Akshayapathram project, which recently saw the installation of a couple of freezers on the streets encouraging people to place their excess food in them so that the needy could have it.
Minister for Social Justice M.K. Muneer inaugurated the Food on Wall scheme at a function here on Monday. P.K. Basheer, MLA, was the chief guest. P. Ubaidulla, MLA, presided over the function.
The Municipality introduced the novel scheme by tying up with the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA). Mr. Mustafa explained the project. Moideenkutty Haji, KHRA State general secretary, handed over the first food token.
KHRA district secretary Shoukath Ali; Municipal vice chairperson K.M. Girija; councillors Pari Abdul Majeed, C.H. Jameela, Sakeer Hussain, N.K. Abdul Majeed and Iriyakulam Hafsath; and Opposition leader in the council Paloli Kunhimohammed spoke.