Udaipur, The Joy of Giving India (JOGI) Charitable Trust has completed five years of its free meal service in Udaipur, distributing more than 2.16 lakh meals to people in need since the initiative was launched on October 7, 2021.
What started with around 125 beneficiaries a day has now grown into a service reaching more than 220 people daily. The initiative currently operates from two centres — the M.B. Hospital OPD premises and near Janana Hospital.
The trust focuses not only on providing food but also on ensuring that beneficiaries receive it with dignity. Fresh and nutritious meals comprising dal, vegetables, rice and roti are served in steel plates, with no restriction on the quantity of food a person can have.
The service is provided free of cost without discrimination and continues throughout the year, irrespective of weather conditions. The trust has also put arrangements in place for hygienic food preparation, serving and cleaning of utensils.
Support for families accompanying patients
The initiative has become particularly significant for families accompanying patients from villages and distant areas. Those who have to stay around hospitals for several days often find it difficult to manage the daily cost of meals. JOGI's service provides them with a dependable source of free, wholesome food.
The trust also runs a free drinking water service during the summer months.
Encouraging a culture of giving
JOGI also encourages people to mark birthdays, anniversaries and death anniversaries by serving meals to people in need. Children are encouraged to participate in such activities to help develop respect for food and compassion towards the underprivileged.
Founder Chairman Roshan Jain said the organisation's aim was not simply to distribute food but to ensure that no needy person returned hungry.
“Our objective is to provide a wholesome meal to every person in need with dignity and respect. We want to ensure that no one goes hungry,” Jain said.
He added that with continued support from the community, the trust would work towards expanding the service to more beneficiaries and improving its facilities.
On completing five years, JOGI expressed gratitude to its donors, volunteers and well-wishers for their continued support.
“We do not just serve food; we strive to ensure that no person in need returns hungry.”
This version is more TOI/newsroom-oriented, with the five-year milestone and 2.16-lakh-meal figure foregrounded as the main news hook.