( May 26, 2020 )
The programme will provide over 2.5 lakh meals to the underprivileged communities which have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Guwahati, Assam. The key locations in which the programme will be launched include Noonmati, Lokhra, Chandrapur Bagicha and Goalpara.
GUWAHATI: Global food and beverage company PepsiCo’s philanthropic arm the PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with Smile Foundation on Tuesday launched “Give Meals Give Hope” global programme in Assam.
The initiative was flagged off on Tuesday by Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Minister of Guwahati Development Department, Law & Justice, Cooperation, Government of Assam.
The programme will provide over 2.5 lakh meals to the underprivileged communities which have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Guwahati, Assam. The key locations in which the programme will be launched include Noonmati, Lokhra, Chandrapur Bagicha and Goalpara.
Bhattacharya said, “We are amidst an unfortunate time which is a first of its kind and it’s in times like these that the Government, private sector and individuals need to come together to fight the outbreak of COVID-19. It is also important to ensure that the marginalised societies are catered to in these troubling times. We would like to thank PepsiCo India for stepping up and volunteering to help the underprivileged communities in Assam. We hope after looking at such initiatives, many other corporates will feel encouraged to help I am sure that Assam will win against the pandemic.”
Ahmed ElSheikh, President, PepsiCo India, said, “India, like the rest of the world is going through challenging times. In Assam, spearheaded by the State’s Health Ministry, the Government has done a commendable work to launch many initiatives to curtail COVID-19 outbreak. Contributing to the Government’s efforts, we are reaching out to the under served families in Assam to help them with meals. We are in this together and will continue to do our best to serve the nation in these challenging times”
Santanu Mishra, co-founder and trustee, Smile Foundation said, “We are happy to partner with PepsiCo India for a meal distribution programme in Assam. Through this initiative, we will distribute food kits to support a five- member family for at least one month. We are glad that this partnership has helped us carry out relief work in some of the most vulnerable sections of the society across the nation.”