[Exclusive Interview] This Ex-Restaurateur Helps To Raise Rs 4.8 Crore & Deliver 34 Lakh Meals To The Needy & Poor

Recently we met with Mr. Paritosh Pant, Founder, Feeding From Far – A unique project that distributes ration kits and food to the most disadvantaged during these testing times.

1.       What motivated the inception of ‘Feeding From Far’ as a grassroots response to hunger during the pandemic, and how were the lessons from your prior project ‘Too Much Drama’ instrumental in influencing your bold and inventive strategy when establishing ‘Feeding From Far’?

Amid a critical juncture, I had to shutter my Navi Mumbai restaurant chain, ‘Too Much Drama,’ like many others in March 2020. This venture, unique for being run by the hearing-impaired, couldn’t sustain through deliveries. As a chef, I yearned for the kitchen’s vitality, so I showcased my culinary prowess on Instagram Live. Unknowingly, this choice reshaped my outlook.

While baking pav, a staple for Mumbaikars, I realized I could do more than just display skills online. The guilt of not helping enough struck. This compelled me to act and create ‘Feeding From Far,’ offering concrete assistance to pandemic-stricken communities and taking responsibility as a “privileged” neighbour and citizen.

A 29-year-old IHM Mumbai graduate, all it took me for an Instagram post and I had my army ready! The willingness of the people to help and their desire to make an impact motivated me to captain this ship. I still remember how Sajid Khan, our first community leader, came to me with unwavered passion to contribute to the cause. Highlighting Govandi’s vulnerability, with jobless daily-wage earners, pushed us to kickstart project “Feeding From Far.”

Initially a local empowerment kitchen, the project shifted to broader food distribution and the more I realized that people wanted to bring about a change and genuinely empower lower-income communities around, the more I knew I had to spearhead Feeding From Far to keep up to the faith shown in me . 

The name reflects pandemic distancing, utilizing local volunteers for decentralized ration delivery.

Also, by then I had learnt that the power of the community and a cloud kitchen was the most efficient way to sustain operations and the success of any initiative lies in the length of it’s network. So, I went all out to ensure that everyone with an intent and appetite to make a difference were a part of the team in any capacity.

2.       Could you highlight some of the significant moments or impactful stories that have arisen from your efforts with ‘Feeding From Far’ in aiding hungry and marginalized communities?

I remember going to the authorities to have an essential services card made at a time when I didn’t even know the whats and hows! But a conversation with them assured them that I was truly keen on bringing respite to the community while exercising the “privileges” I was born with and that’s where my train of thoughts had taken over!

During one of the first distributions, I had women and children come up and confide in me with tears and hope in their eyes and the belief that I could set this partly right, if not salvage it fully. Donors from across the globe gave me their vote of confidence and some of them did not hesitate to lend themselves fully to the cause – physically, emotionally and financially.

I’ll never forget this family of five in Dharavi. They were on the brink, considering desperate measures. Thankfully, we reached them in time, ensuring their daily meals. When they thanked me, I felt like I was part of something beyond myself!

What began as a social media post has grown into one of the nation’s biggest food providers. We’ve given out over 34 lakh meals till date – that’s a highlight in itself.

And then, there’s the incredible support from icons like Ab De Villiers. Talking to him, hearing his praise for Feeding From Far, left me teary-eyed. He wore a jersey with my name, called us his inspiration – it felt surreal. We were so absorbed in our work that we hadn’t realized how big it had become.

3.       What challenges have you faced along the way and how did you overcome them?

I’ve always believed that if your intentions are pure, the universe conspires to realize what your heart is set on, no matter the stumbling blocks on the way.

At the onset, we had to fight local biases where the people preferred a particular kind of meal kit. It took  a lot of convincing from me to explain to them about nutritional needs and how we were trying as much as possible to give them a nutrient-dense meal. 

Our volunteer-driven strategy proved fail-proof.

In the initial two days, I personally witnessed the chaos that ensued as our project, primarily led by inexperienced locals, became disorganized. To address these challenges, I took charge and developed a comprehensive project plan. My first step was to divide the Govandi area into 45 sub-locations and assemble dedicated teams while emphasizing the importance of strong work ethics. Additionally, I ensured the establishment of a functional kitchen led by 60 outstanding volunteers who worked in batches divided in teams such as kitchen team, packing team, storage team, delivery team, sub-location distribution volunteers, and security team. To prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved, we implemented a three point safety check .

These incredible volunteers were local residents who had been an integral part of the community for many years, and their familiarity and connections posed invaluable to our efforts. Their involvement offline was instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of our initiative.

In addition to the local volunteers, we garnered support of approximately 50 individuals from around the world who formed another crucial team. They assisted me in managing the various online activities associated with our project. Their contributions played a vital role in coordinating logistics, organizing resources, and maintaining communication channels to reach out to those in need effectively. The collective effort of both the on-ground and online teams allowed us to make a significant impact and provide essential and timely support to the communities we have been able to serve.

4.       Why did you choose to embrace and continue social leadership when you could have chosen any other lucrative career in hospitality?

I believe it all boils down to purpose, impact and your idea of success. As someone born with privileges, I have always been taught that every little effort can make the mightiest difference to someone. 

Even with ‘Too Much Drama’ I knew I had to support vulnerable communities because it brings me a sense of fulfilment.

I endorse the thought that we all have goodness in us, its just about that one initiative to pay it forward. And with Feeding From Far, we’ve come across multitudes of people truly and genuinely looking to make a change and willing to roll up their sleeves despite their parallel lives. Or in some instances, if availability has been a challenge they’ve still managed to extend goodwill in their own feasible way by means of funding.

Also personally, when I saw that family in Dharavi on the edge, facing the unimaginable with us on the other side of the spectrum with the power to pull them out of drudgery, it felt extraordinary!

Sure, there might have been more lucrative paths out there, but nothing compares to the feeling of knowing you’ve touched lives, that you’ve given someone hope and sustenance. The journey from a simple social media post to becoming a lifeline for millions, it’s been transformative.

And then, when Ab De Villiers, a cricket legend, recognizes your work and appreciates your efforts, the fact that we could inspire someone of his stature, makes it hard to put a price on.

Money and rewards are important, but the fulfillment of making a real, tangible difference in people’s lives – that’s a reward that resonates deep within. It’s not about a job or a career; it’s about a calling, a purpose-driven journey that gives life a profound meaning.

5.       How do you view the significance of social impact leaders in tackling societal issues, especially in India? What measures do you think can be adopted to motivate and back more people in becoming social entrepreneurs, while also enhancing the environment to nurture their growth and influence?

Social impact leaders hold the power to ignite profound change by identifying the cracks in the system and weaving in innovative solutions that can mend those fractures. This is especially crucial in a country like India, where disparities and societal issues cast long shadows. With their fervor, wisdom, and networks, they don’t just create change; they plant seeds of empowerment, watered by sustainable models that lift individuals and entire communities. 

Yet, to forge a path for more to follow, we must embark on a threefold journey. 

Firstly, let’s start at the beginning – in schools. We must redefine the narrative around social entrepreneurship, reframing it from a mere ‘fallback’ option to a viable and esteemed career choice. Through campaigns, educational endeavors, and collaborations with educational institutions, we can plant the seeds of inspiration in young minds, showing them the immense potential of this path.

Then access to capital and resources through means of channels for funding, grants, and investment networks tailored for social entrepreneurs is paramount to empower them to scale their ambitions. 

Yet, capital isn’t the only currency – mentorship is equally priceless. Establishing mentorship programs, nurturing incubators, and powering accelerators creates a safety net of guidance, ensuring that budding social entrepreneurs don’t navigate their journey alone.

Ultimately, by nurturing and fortifying the roots of social entrepreneurship, we cultivate gardens of sustainable development. This isn’t just about changing lives; it’s about sculpting a nation, infusing it with a heartbeat of unity, compassion, and progress. 

6.       What are your future plans for Feeding For Far?

The journey ahead for Feeding From Far is brimming with purpose and passion. Our eyes are set on horizons far beyond the present, driven by a burning desire to touch lives, to bridge gaps, and to quell hunger’s haunting grip.

Our footsteps are marked with determination as we plan to expand our operations, not just across cities in India, but to regions that have been silently grappling with the gnawing pangs of hunger. We’re not content with limiting our impact to one corner; we want to blanket the nation with nourishment and hope. 

Our dreams extend beyond borders, igniting a spark to extend our reach to a global scale. Hunger, after all, doesn’t recognize boundaries or nations. It’s a universal pain, and our mission is to become a beacon of relief, a source of sustenance that transcends borders, languages, and cultures

This vision, rooted in compassion, whispers that every empty stomach matters, and every life we touch can reverberate with change. We want to collaborate with state bodies, government authorities, global initiatives, educational institutions to not just flex our expertise but also open channels of communication and community welfare among varied groups, societies, agencies and institutions. 

And, at the core of it all, we carry the conviction that our journey isn’t just about providing meals; it’s about nurturing a spirit. A spirit of community, of coming together, of extending a helping hand while reminding privileged classes that they possess the power to transform lives. 

So, when you ask about our future plans, know that they’re not mere plans; they’re a pledge, a commitment to keep marching forward, to keep fighting against hunger’s grip, and to keep sowing seeds of change.