By Smitha George
Pathanamthitta(Kerala): Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikad popularly known as ‘Bobbyachan’ or ‘Fr. Bobby Jose Capuchin’ is a Catholic priest from Order of Friars Minor Capuchin , known for his preaching , writing and especially evangelization through television, radio and other media.
A concept visualised by Fr. Bobby, Anjappam( which translates to five loaves of bread) is a a social collective effort that aims to mitigate social injustice by offering the marginalised sections with economic access to food.
The primary offering of Anjappam is a chain of economical restaurants that are currently located within Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The restaurants do not serve food free of cost, keeping in mind that eating for free might not be acceptable for many.
Explaining more about its functioning, the Treasurer of the project, who prefers to stay anonymous, said, “We serve food at a nominal cost of Rs. 25 per meal, but never compel anyone to pay that either. People who do not have the financial status to pay that are more than welcome to have the food without paying anything. They are also welcome to pay whatever they can. Even if it is less than Rs. 25, the money is accepted wholeheartedly.”
The restaurants serve only vegetarian food. The members of the trust take care to ensure that a majority of the vegetables are acquired locally so that they can provide tasty as well as environment friendly food, which is good for both the body and mind. As of now, the restaurants only serve lunch and will provide breakfast also once they have settled down.
During the day, the restaurants act as places where good, healthy meals are available at affordable prices and in the evenings, they are transformed into reading spaces with libraries. The restaurants now have a wonderful collection of books and is popular among college students, who visit in large numbers.
The Treasurer says that it is heartwarming to see that the restaurants, which were formally inuagurated on October 9, have gained acclamation in such a small span. Sharing her experience about the attitude of people visiting the restaurants on daily basis, she says that there are people who eat a meal and pay Rs. 25, even if they are financially sound.
Anyone who intends to help the poor and needy always have an option available here. This need not be in terms of money, but also as spending one’s time at the restaurants, serving food and helping with cleaning activities. Volunteers can also teach basic skills to the illiterate who come here during evenings. They uphold the thought that donations need not be in terms of money only and that a person who is ready to help the downtrodden can do it in whichever manner he feels it right.
Anjappam will be supported and facilitated by a community of friends (Appakootu) who supports financially or otherwise . ‘Appakootu’ now has around 500 members. The working of the trust is being looked after by a team, which is headed by president Baby Sam and supervised by secretary A.J. Sebastian.
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