Give daily healthy meals to the aged in India

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

Greetings from BASS, India!

We are writing to share an important update on our daily meal program for vulnerable elderly people in Guntur, covering the period from January to April 2024.

First and foremost, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support over the past three years. Your unwavering commitment has been instrumental in sustaining this vital program, and we are immensely grateful for your help and generosity!

This project currently provides daily nutritious meals to 110 vulnerable elderly individuals across three centers in Guntur and Pallekona. These centers have been successfully operating, serving as much more than just meal distribution points. The elderly gathers daily around 10 AM to enjoy each other’s company and share meals that bring them both nourishment and joy. For those who are sick or unable to travel, our dedicated staff ensure meals are delivered directly to their doorsteps.

We want to remind you that this program was initially established during the challenging COVID-19 lockdown period to specifically support seniors with difficult life circumstances. It has continued to consistently meet their essential needs, providing a much-needed place of comfort and community. This interaction significantly helps to alleviate loneliness and has a positive impact on their overall health. The seniors genuinely express their happiness in gathering at the centers, connecting with peers, and joyfully sharing moments of their lives.

Additionally, over the past months, we have been able to provide medical check-ups. Through these checks, we identified several individuals facing health challenges. We are heartened to report that many of them have since recovered and shown improved health, a testament to the benefit of consistent, nutritious meals.

We are also pleased to share a recent development: in January, we successfully launched a new center in Guntur city. This expands our reach, operating alongside our established centers in the Dasaripalem slum and Pallekona village to support even more elderly individuals in need.

Each center is managed by a dedicated cook-cum-caregiver and a helper. We are also grateful for the joyful participation of some of the elderly themselves, who enthusiastically assist with cooking from time to time, fostering a strong sense of ownership and community.

However, despite the program's success and critical need, we are currently facing significant financial challenges that threaten our ability to continue.

Funding has been extremely low over the past four months, with only USD 87 received in total.

This amount is nowhere near sufficient to cover the increasing costs of food, essential staff salaries (cooks and helpers), and center rents.

To illustrate the need, keeping just one center operational for approximately 50 seniors requires at least USD 500 per month. With three centers now supporting 110 individuals, our actual monthly need is considerably higher to maintain services and cover all operational costs.

Therefore, we humbly and urgently request your continued support. Your contribution is vital to ensure these vulnerable elderly individuals can keep receiving their daily meals, access the community support, and maintain their improved health and dignity at our centers.

Your generous donation, whether a one-time gift or a monthly pledge, will make a tremendous and immediate difference in the lives of these precious seniors.

Thank you once again for your ongoing kindness, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of the elderly in Guntur. Your support is truly a blessing.

Sincerely,

The Team at BASS, India