Phoenix residents were left appalled and disappointed after plates of food which were given to the underprivileged by a non-profit organisation (NPO) were either dumped or left strewn on the sidewalks of Parthenon Street in Starwood, on 15 September.
Voicing his concern to the Phoenix Tabloid, a resident of Starwood, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was appalled when he saw the plates of food dumped on the sidewalks of Parthenon Street, across the Phoenix Plaza.
He said members of a non-profit organisation distributed the hot meals which were dished out on paper plates and handed over to people who were present in the area at that time. The resident said soon after distribution, the NPO left and the people dumped the food that they had willingly accepted from members of the organisation.
“After the people from the organisation left, many people who received those meals, left the untouched food on the sidewalks. There were around five to 10 plates on the sidewalk and most we still full of food. It is upsetting that these organisations go out of their way to get funding and donations to do food drives like this only for the people to throw it away,” said the resident.
He said this matter is concerning as there are many people who are starving and wondering where their next meal will come from.
“However, those who are fortunate to receive food but choose to throw it away. These food drives should rather be given to orphanages and old age homes who would appreciate the food. We need to feed the needy and not the choosy. These organisations need to see that their hard work and money is going to waste. Providing meals for a large number of people is expensive and these organisations distribute meals daily, however, it is extremely sad to see that the food being thrown away,” he added.
Members of the non-profit organisation (NPO), the DSK Group, who have done numerous food drives in and around the Phoenix area, said it is disappointing to see people’s hard and labour of love being discarded without a second thought. The group, which relies on donations and the generosity of sponsors to conduct their community service, said it is upsetting to know that work being done by NPOs and NGOs to serve those in need is going unappreciated by those that its meant to help.
“It’s sad and heartbreaking to us as an non-profit organisation when we see these sites as there is a lot of hard work and planning that goes into every drive that we run. We always end up wishing that we can do more, but the resources only allow for what we can do. While we understand that not everyone has the same taste in food, it would be better for people to rather decline to take the food if its not something they would eat and allow someone else to benefit for that meal,” the NPO said.
They said as the DSK Group the meals that they provide during food drives are often eaten by their own members and volunteers as well, to show that the food is as acceptable for them to eat as anyone else.
“Let us not waste the meals that can make someone else’s day. Let us rather decline if we aren’t happy with what is being served,” the group added.
One of the food recipients, who wished to remain anonymous, said he is appreciative for the meals that they receive, however sometimes the meals are too spicy and only realises it after taking the first bite.
“I do appreciate the work that these kind people do for us who can’t afford food and we do not mean to just leave the food aside at times however, we only realise that the food is either too spicy or it’s something that we cannot eat after we take the first bite. It is not our intention to make people’s hard work go to waste, sometimes we can’t just give our eaten food to the next person,” he said.
Another food recipient, said the food is sometimes left on the sidewalk by people who do not know its value and the worth of the hands that make it.
“It is shameful when you see the food sitting there like that. Some people take it thinking there will be meat in it and dump it out of disappointment. Its wrong and people need to stop taking the food if they don’t intend to eat it. You are depriving somebody else of a meal that they could have eaten.”
