C.M. Paul
Kolkata, June 3, 2026: At noon outside Kolkata’s Sealdah railway station, Rafiq Ali, a 62‑year‑old footpath dweller, clutches an aluminum plate of steaming rice and potato curry. His eyes light up as he says, “This is the only meal I get in a day. Without it, I would go hungry. They treat us like human beings, not beggars.”
For Rafiq and nearly 180 others like him—beggars, the sick, the abandoned, and the mentally ill—the Midday Meal Program run by Don Bosco Outreach Calcutta, under the direction of Salesian Father Mathew George, has become a lifeline.
With support from Hoffnung auf einen Besseren Morgen, Südtirol (Italy), the initiative, on 7th June 2026, completes 100 days of uninterrupted service, delivering cooked food daily to Sealdah, Mothijil, and Moulali area.
Leadership rooted in theology and service
Father Mathew George, once a theology professor, college Vice Principal, and province secretary, has long believed that faith must translate into concrete acts of compassion. “We are simply sharing what we have with those who have nothing.
Every plate of food is a reminder that no one should be forgotten,” he says, reflecting on the program’s mission. His leadership transformed Petra Theiner’s vision of “food ATMs” into a practical system of daily cooked meals, carried by rickshaw van to the city’s most vulnerable corners.
“We hope to continue feeding the needy as long as we are able,” Father George assures.
Petra’s 25‑year journey in Kolkata
Petra Theiner, a native of Südtirol, Italy, is no stranger to Kolkata’s slums and footpaths. For over 25 years she has walked among the city’s poorest, supporting welfare initiatives in Howrah, Calcutta, and Dhobasole.
“Food is the first step to dignity. If a person is hungry, nothing else matters. This program is about restoring humanity,” she remarks, watching volunteers distribute meals.
Her long journey of solidarity has made her a familiar figure among the marginalized, and her partnership with Don Bosco Outreach has given her vision lasting impact.
Volunteers at the heart
The heartbeat of the program lies in the small kitchen where volunteers gather each morning. Under the guidance of Sajia and Nadim, the day begins before sunrise.
Large pots are scrubbed clean, rice is measured out in sacks, and potatoes pealed. Vegetables, sometimes donated by local markets, are chopped on wooden boards, while spices are ground to give the food its familiar aroma.
By mid‑morning, the kitchen is alive with steam and chatter. One group tends to the rice, while others prepare the curry. The clatter of ladles against steel pots mixes with laughter and the occasional song.
“We cook as if for our own families,” says Nadim who is with the program from the start since 26 February 2026. “The people on the streets deserve food that is fresh, hot, and made with care.”
When the meals are ready, they are packed into large containers and ferried by rickshaw van toward Sealdah, Mothijil, and Moulali by noon. At each stop, the van is surrounded by eager faces. Plates are filled, hands are extended, and gratitude flows in words and smiles.
Their menu is not monotonous: egg with rice, soybean with rice, potato curry with rice, khichdi rice, and even biryani rotate through the week, ensuring variety and nutrition. On some days, a simple banana is added—an extra touch of care that brings a smile to weary faces.
“The joy we see when someone receives their plate makes all the effort worthwhile,” says Sajia.
Civil recognition
Civil authorities have also acknowledged the program’s significance.
Anindya Chatterjee, a senior officer with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, notes: “Initiatives like this reduce the desperation we see on the streets. It is not only about feeding the hungry but about restoring dignity. We welcome such partnerships that ease the burden on civic systems and bring hope to the most neglected.”
Echoes of the pandemic
This achievement recalls the team’s earlier feat during the COVID‑19 lockdown, when they fed over 1,500 people daily for 262 consecutive days.
“If they had not fed us then, we would not be alive today,” remembers Shanti Devi, who still lives near Sealdah station. That memory underscores the continuity of compassion that has carried the program into its present form.
(Photo supplied)