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Kolkata, June 3, 2026:

100 Days of Hope: Don Bosco Outreach Calcutta Sustains Daily Meal Mission for the City’s Forgotten

3 June 2026

Livelihood,

News reported by: Fr C M Paul SDB

Amid the bustling crowds and relentless pace of Kolkata, a quiet act of compassion has been unfolding every day for the past 100 days. From the pavements of Sealdah Railway Station to the narrow lanes of Moulali and Mothijil, the Midday Meal Program of Don Bosco Outreach Calcutta has been providing hot, nutritious meals to nearly 180 of the city’s most vulnerable residents, offering not only food but also dignity and hope.

The initiative, supported by Hoffnung auf einen Besseren Morgen (Hope for a Better Tomorrow), Südtirol, Italy, marks a significant milestone on June 7, completing 100 consecutive days of uninterrupted service. Directed by Salesian priest Fr. Dr Mathew George, the program caters to beggars, abandoned individuals, the elderly, the sick, and those living with mental illness who often struggle to secure even a single meal each day.

Among the beneficiaries is 62-year-old Rafiq Ali, who lives on the footpath outside Sealdah Railway Station. Holding a plate of steaming rice and potato curry, he describes the service as a lifeline. “This is the only meal I get in a day. Without it, I would go hungry. They treat us like human beings, not beggars,” he says.

For Fr. Mathew George, the initiative represents a practical expression of faith. A former theology professor, college vice-principal, and provincial secretary, he believes that genuine spirituality must be reflected in service to those in need. “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 explains.

Under his leadership, a vision conceived by Italian philanthropist Petra Theiner evolved into an efficient system of daily meal distribution. Meals prepared each morning are transported by rickshaw van to designated locations where beneficiaries gather by noon.

Theiner’s association with Kolkata spans more than two decades. A native of Südtirol, she has spent over 25 years supporting welfare initiatives in Kolkata, Howrah, and the poorest communities of Dhobasole. Her commitment to serving the marginalized has earned her widespread respect among local communities.

“Food is the first step to dignity. If a person is hungry, nothing else matters. This program is about restoring humanity,” says Theiner. Her longstanding partnership with Don Bosco Outreach has ensured that this vision continues to touch lives daily.

At the heart of the operation is a dedicated team of volunteers led by Sajia and Nadim. Their day begins before sunrise as they prepare large quantities of rice, vegetables, and curries in a modest kitchen. Fresh ingredients are carefully cleaned, chopped, and cooked, often supplemented by donations from local markets.

“We cook as if for our own families,” says Nadim, who has been involved with the program since its launch on February 26, 2026. “The people on the streets deserve food that is fresh, hot, and made with care.”

The menu is designed to provide both variety and nutrition. Meals rotate through rice with egg curry, soybean curry, potato curry, khichdi, and even biryani. On some days, bananas are distributed as an additional nutritional supplement. “The joy we see when someone receives their plate makes all the effort worthwhile,” adds Sajia.

The program has also received appreciation from civic authorities. Anindya Chatterjee, a senior official of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, notes that such initiatives play a vital role in addressing urban poverty. “It is not only about feeding the hungry but about restoring dignity. Partnerships like these ease the burden on civic systems and bring hope to the most neglected,” he says.

The achievement also revives memories of the COVID-19 lockdown, when the Don Bosco team provided daily meals to more than 1,500 people for 262 consecutive days. For many beneficiaries, that period remains unforgettable. “If they had not fed us then, we would not be alive today,” recalls Shanti Devi, a resident near Sealdah station.