Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, November 25, 2019 — Strange but true! Loreto Sisters in Kolkata have come up with what seems to be a new concept to serve the poor – Food ATM (Food Any Time Machine). But the Sisters say, they had this practice of serving the poor in 1909 some 110 years ago.
“In 1909 this very concept was used to serve food to the needy in Motijhil and Entally,” says Director of Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre (KMWSC) Sr Monica Suchiang.
The Anglo Indian Member of Legislative Assembly West Bengal Mr. Shane Calvert, and Loreto South Asia Superior Sr. Sabrina Edwards inaugurated the Food ATM while Seva Kendra Kolkata Director Dr. (Fr.) Franklin Menezes blessed the Food ATM installed at KMWSC premises, 25 November 2019.
Speaking at the inauguration KMWSC Cafe, Bakery and Food ATM on 25th November 2019, Sr. Monica explained further saying, “It is said that in 1909, people from the surrounding communities were given food to meet their basic need of survival.”
The KMWSC which completed its 5 years of journey in July 2019, is living up to its vision of “the values of love, freedom, sincerity and justice to be experienced and lived out by all,” says Sr Monica.
The genius behind the venture Sr Monica, a graduate of National Law School Hyderabad, spelt out her vision for KMWSC through its three thematic approaches on Protection of Women and Child Development, Education & Health, and Community Development through Livelihood & Skill Development.
“Over the five years, with 11 projects, we have been able to impact the lives of more than 82,000 women (direct beneficiaries) and scores of others as secondary and tertiary beneficiaries,” says soft spoken Sr Monica.
Recalling the words of former Loreto nun St. Teresa of Calcutta, who was a member of the same convent Loreto Entally for almost 20 years from 1929 to 1948 Sr Monica did not hesitate to say, “The Fruit of Love is Service, which is Compassion in Action.”
“Today we once again stand at the threshold of continuing this history (practice) through the inauguration of the KMWSC Cafe and Bakery and the Food ATM at Entally for those people who need Love, Compassion and our dedicated Service,” insists Sr. Monica.
Other dignitaries present at the event were Vice Chairman of the Minority Commission, West Bengal, Rtd Justice Nadira Patheria, Mrs Ananya Chakraborty, chairperson of WBCPCR, Sudeshna Roy, member of WBCPCR and Dr. Joydeb Majumdar, Director of Jaypraksh Institute of Social Change, religious and priests, NGO members and well wishers.
The inaugural function was concluded with high tea prepared from the Bakery and Cafe including cakes, puffs and deserts.
Plans are afoot to tie up with Swiggy – India’s largest and most valuable online food ordering and delivery platform founded in 2014.
The KMWSC hopes to use the profit from Bakery & Cafe for its skill development unit catering informal education to empower under priviledged youths.
Loreto Sisters who came to India in 1841 from Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, Ireland have 6 schools in Kolkata exclusively for girls.