Sherpur volunteer group provides daily meals to hundreds of underprivileged residents for sixth consecutive year
Photo Collected
SHERPUR — Every afternoon, a small patch of shade near the Darogali Park Eidgah field in Sherpur becomes a lifeline for dozens of marginalized residents. As the clock strikes 2:00 p.m., a van arrives, marking the daily start of “Anaharir Ahar,” or “Food for the Hungry,” a program managed by the local volunteer organization, Nri Foundation.
For the past six years, this initiative has provided a full daily meal to approximately 70 to 80 people, including the elderly, day laborers, and those experiencing homelessness. The meals, typically consisting of rice, lentils, vegetables, and a protein source such as eggs, fish, or meat, are served by volunteers who maintain the operation regardless of weather conditions. The organization also provides access to clean drinking water through a rented facility near the site.
The Nri Foundation trace their origins to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when a group of 15 to 20 local youths, including Mashrekul Haque, Mazharul Haque, and Rajib Ahmed, began distributing cooked food to those left unemployed by lockdowns. Formally established on August 8, 2020, the foundation has since expanded its mission to address hunger 365 days a year. During the month of Ramadan, the program scales up to provide Iftar for 150 to 200 people daily.
Operations are currently overseen by a 21-member committee based in Sherpur’s Madhabpur area. While the foundation relies on self-funding and local donations, it has gained support from contributors at home and abroad through social media and its website. General Secretary Mazharul Haque noted that the organization’s scope has broadened beyond food security to include projects in education, healthcare, and self-employment training.
For the beneficiaries, the program offers more than just sustenance; it provides a sense of dignity. Rafiqul Islam, a 70-year-old local, shared that the daily meals are essential for his survival, especially as he is no longer able to work. Another participant, Anjuwara Begum, who works as a laborer in local eateries, described the foundation as a vital safety net where recipients are treated with respect.
The volunteers behind the initiative emphasize that their goal is to support the vulnerable rather than simply offering charity. Members of the foundation maintain that their mission is driven by a commitment to human dignity, ensuring that no one in their community is forced to endure hunger.
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