TO SERVE others is an ingrained characteristic of humanitarian and community activist, Viresh Panday, whose daily commitment is to feed thousands through the charitable organisation he runs.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic (October 2020), Panday formed Food For Life Africa (FFLA) and they have been dishing up goodness ever since.
They have 13 kitchens in various provinces and through the combined efforts of staff, volunteers, partnering NGOs, and donors, FFLA has served more than 8.2 million plates of food.
On Saturday (Heritage Day), Panday and FFLA’s membership will attempt to collect large quantities of rice for their feeding initiatives, which also extends to a few African nations.
It will be FFLA’s third “Rice Drive”, where donors trek to the organisation’s headquarters at the River Range Farm in Verulam to drop off rice contributions.
Eleven tons of rice was collected in 2020. Last year, their collection swelled to 22 tons and this year they hope to amass 50 tons.
“We are on track to achieve our Heritage Day goal, considering the pledges we have received. Fifty tons of rice will help us provide 1 250 000 meals,” Panday enthused.
He said the rice drive concept was the brainchild of his former high school friend, Theasen Pillay, who passed on last year, and publicist Lisa Sukdev.
“Theasen (Pillay) and I crossed paths once again through FFLA. Being a philanthropist himself, he reached out to us,” Panday said.
In his matric year (1992) at Reservoir Hills’ AD Lazarus High School, Panday got a taste of doing community work.
“Our direct neighbours was the RP Moodley School for children with learning difficulties.”
Panday drove the initiative to provide meals for RP Moodley children using their pocket money with some friends and parents in support.
Ever since he served as a volunteer with various charitable organisations, and he also supported the Hare Krishna’s feeding initiatives.
“Twelve years ago I was appointed to their Food for Life South Africa management team.
“While I was there, we opened about 34 satellite kitchens around the country.”
He then broke away and registered FFLA, an organisation that was not a religiously inclined body and apolitical.
“In spite of Covid-19 and tough economic times, we grew phenomenally and opened 12 branches. Last week we opened our 13th in Randburg.
“We have distributed more than 8.2 million since we started.”
Their meals were mainly distributed to children at schools, the frail and elderly.
By upholding principles like trust, integrity and transparency, Panday said they achieved donor trust.
“I have found that lots of people want to be a blessing to others, but they want organisations that operate with integrity.”
Panday said they teamed up with fledgling NGOs to distribute food, but always vetted organisations before connecting with them.
He said when the Covid-19 pandemic was rampant, none of their staff lost their lives or got seriously ill.
“To keep our kitchens sterile and staff safe, none of them travelled to high-risk areas and avoided infection.
“This enabled us to provide a support system the community desperately needed, which included meals and Covid-care packs to those who were infected.”
Panday said once they made a pledge to provide an organisation or person with meals, it was a commitment for life, in keeping with their name.
“Through divine intervention we are always able to honour our commitments.
“Because of the work we’ve done we are confident of achieving our rice drive target.”
To keep all their operations in check around the country and in eSwatini, Kenya and soon in Nigeria, Panday said his working day spanned 18-hours.
“Even in my dreams I am always anxious about providing food, but in a positive way.
“I thank God we have a great team behind us who are equally passionate.
“It is hard work but very fulfilling for the soul. We are blessed to have supportive individuals and corporations,” he said.
Nosipho Ciliza, a law student and mother of two who volunteers as FFLA’s CFO said her involvement in an organisation that serves others was a “very rewarding” experience.
Ciliza said the need for food was not confined to South Africa but throughout the continent.
“It’s not about helping the poor but serving the hungry and that could be anyone,” said Ciliza.
Kishore Hurribhujan, a Verulam based vegetable farmer, said he appreciated FFLA’s work. Therefore, he made donations.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE