Student Volunteers in Tangail Provide Affordable Meals Through Five-Taka Initiative
Photo Collected
A growing queue of laborers, street vendors, and pedestrians snakes through the Tangail Shaheed Minar premises as students from the local organization “Sorboda Nirbhik Foundation” distribute freshly cooked chicken biryani for a symbolic price of five taka. The initiative, aptly named “5 Taker Ahar” (Meal for Five Taka), is designed to provide nutritious food to low-income individuals while preserving their dignity by allowing them to purchase their meals rather than accepting charity.
The foundation, established in 2024 by university student Syeda Tasmo and her peers, evolved from disaster relief efforts during last year’s floods. The group has since expanded its mandate to include blood donations, medical assistance, and tree planting. Currently, the organization operates with 137 members who fund their efforts through monthly subscriptions and contributions from local supporters.
The logistics of the program are handled entirely by the students, who manage everything from purchasing ingredients to cooking and packaging the meals. Operating twice a month, the team serves between 500 and 800 portions per event. For beneficiaries like Nazrul Islam, a local street vendor, the nominal cost makes all the difference. He noted that paying a small amount eliminates the hesitation often associated with accepting free food, allowing him to enjoy the meal with a sense of pride.
The organization’s leadership remains ambitious despite the logistical challenges. General Secretary Maruf Shikdar stated that the long-term goal is to transition the program from a bi-monthly event to a daily service. While the volunteers currently work within their personal means, prominent local figures, including former college principal Shamsul Huda, have lauded the effort and suggested that increased support from the broader community could enable the students to reach even more people in need.
As the afternoon sun sets, the volunteer team continues their quiet, organized work, proving that significant social impact often requires more heart than capital. For the students of Sorboda Nirbhik Foundation, the sight of satisfied diners is the ultimate objective, reinforcing their belief that empathy and action are the primary ingredients needed to alleviate hunger in their community.
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