Food Donation Program in Raxual Area (Bihar, India)

Executive Summary

The Food Donation Program was successfully implemented in the Raxual area, Bihar, aimed at mitigating immediate food insecurity among vulnerable populations, including daily wage earners and marginalized families. Over a six-month operational period, the Foundation distributed essential dry ration kits and prepared meals, directly impacting an estimated 5,000 unique beneficiaries. The program achieved its primary goal of providing nutritional stability during a critical period. Key challenges included logistical coordination in remote settlements and sustained funding. The core recommendation is to transition from emergency relief to a sustainable community kitchen model to ensure long-term nutritional support.

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Raxual area, situated near the Indo-Nepal border, experiences significant socio-economic vulnerability, often exacerbated by seasonal migration and natural calamities. The Shri Shivratan Sha Foundation initiated this program to address the urgent need for basic sustenance among the most affected local families who lost income due to recent economic shifts.

1.2 Project Goal

To provide timely and nutritious food aid to the most vulnerable families and individuals in the Raxual Area, thereby reducing malnutrition and immediate hunger risks.

1.3 Target Beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries included:

• Families of daily wage laborers and migrant workers.

• Elderly individuals without familial support.

• Single-parent households and children in slum settlements.

  
  

2. Methodology and Activities

The program was executed in three distinct phases:

2.1 Phase I: Needs Assessment and Setup (Month 1)

• Identification: Local volunteers conducted surveys to identify distribution hotspots (e.g., railway colonies, specific slum clusters) and compiled a database of approximately 1,500 priority households.

• Logistics: Secured a central warehouse for storing dry rations and established partnerships with local wholesale merchants for bulk procurement.

2.2 Phase II: Procurement and Packaging (Months 2-6)

• Ration Kits: Each dry ration kit contained 5kg Rice, 2kg Wheat Flour, 1kg Dal (Lentils), 1L Edible Oil, Salt, and basic spices—sufficient for a family of four for 7-10 days.

• Prepared Meals: On specific high-need days (3 times per week), freshly cooked meals (rice, dal/vegetable curry) were prepared and distributed to high-density areas.

2.3 Phase III: Distribution and Monitoring (Months 2-6)

• Distribution Events: A total of 15 major dry ration distribution events and 60 prepared meal sessions were conducted.

• Volunteer Mobilization: 35 dedicated local volunteers assisted in crowd management, verification, and distribution, ensuring dignified and orderly delivery of aid.

  
  

3. Project Results and Impact

3.1 Quantitative Results

Metric	Total Achieved	Unit
Unique Beneficiaries Served	5,000+	Individuals
Total Cooked Meals Distributed	15,000	Meals
Dry Ration Kits Distributed	1,250	Kits
Geographic Reach	8	Key Settlements/Villages
Volunteer Hours Contributed	1,100+	Hours

3.2 Qualitative Impact

• Reduced Stress: Local feedback indicated a significant reduction in the economic stress faced by households, allowing families to allocate limited cash resources to other essentials like medicine or education.

• Community Trust: The consistent and transparent distribution process built strong trust between the Shri Shivratan Sha Foundation and the local community leaders.

• Health: Anecdotal evidence from local health workers suggested a temporary decrease in reports of severe child undernourishment in the targeted settlements during the program's peak.

  
  

4. Challenges Encountered

1. Monsoon Logistics: Distribution during the monsoon season (July-August) was severely hampered by flooded roads, delaying the delivery schedule to remote villages.

2. Resource Sustainability: The program relied heavily on periodic donations. The lack of a stable, recurring funding source posed a risk to long-term continuity.

3. Beneficiary Verification: While extensive efforts were made, accurately tracking and preventing duplication of beneficiaries across multiple distribution points remained a logistical challenge.

   
   

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion

The Food Donation Program successfully executed its mandate, delivering vital food assistance to thousands of vulnerable residents in the Raxual area. The positive immediate impact confirms the necessity of such humanitarian efforts in this region.

5.2 Recommendations for Future Phases

1. Transition to Sustainability: Establish a permanent Community Kitchen or a subsidized grain bank in Raxual to ensure a long-term, stable food supply, shifting focus from emergency relief to sustained nutritional access.

2. Health Integration: Partner with local healthcare providers to include basic health and hygiene education during food distribution events.

3. Diversify Funding: Actively pursue corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding and government grants to establish a predictable, long-term budget, reducing reliance on sporadic individual donations.

4. Digital Verification: Implement a simple digital tracking system (e.g., using Aadhar numbers or unique family codes) to improve the accuracy of beneficiary lists and measure impact more precisely.