When Kamala travels four hours from her village to stay with her ailing husband at Bangalore’s ESI Hospital, her biggest worry isn’t just his recovery. While the hospital provides meals to in-patients, as a caregiver, she must choose between staying hungry or leaving her loved one unattended to search for affordable food.
This daily struggle caught the attention of District 317A’s Governor N. Mohankumar PMJF. “We noticed caregivers, many from modest backgrounds, sitting quietly in hospital corridors during lunch hours. Our month-long study revealed that beyond the meals provided to patients, there was a need for 200-300 additional meals daily for their caregivers,” shares Mohankumar.
He decided to do something about it. As part of his DG Vision Program, he decided to set up a Hunger Relief Centre within the hospital premises. After a great deal of planning and coordination with the ESI Hospital administration, local MLA Shri Suresh Kumar, and the Ministry of MSME, Labour and Employment for the requisite approvals, the Lions Free Hunger Relief Centre opened its doors on October 12, 2024 – Vijayadashami Day. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of PID V. V. Krishna Reddy, the Dean of ESI Hospital, District Governor N. Mohan Kumar and many Lion leaders.
The impact was immediate. Every day, including weekends and holidays, between 12:30 and 2:00 PM, the centre serves around 300 hot, nutritious meals prepared by premium kitchens including Sri Sai Spiritual Centre Trust and Brigade Foundation (Sheraton Hotel). The hospital issues daily meal coupons to patient attendants, ensuring organized distribution while encouraging eco-friendly practices by asking beneficiaries to bring their own containers.
“Earlier, I would eat maybe once a day to save money,” says Ramesh, whose mother is undergoing treatment. “Now I can stay by her side and still have a proper meal. The food gives me strength to care for her better.”
As the centre marked its 100th day of continuous service on January 19, 2025, the numbers tell a powerful story – over 30,000 meals served, representing an investment of ₹5 lakhs. But beyond statistics, it’s the daily scene of Lions, Leos, and NGO volunteers coming together to serve hot meals with dignity that truly captures the project’s spirit.
“This isn’t just about feeding people,” explains Sharadha Mohan, District Chairperson for Hunger. “It’s about supporting families during their most vulnerable moments, letting them focus on what matters most – their loved ones’ recovery.”
The 100th day milestone was celebrated by Lions of the district on January 21, 2025. Present on the occasion were PDG S. Ramachandran, the DG Team, Lions and representatives from Brigade Hospitality Division. The flagship project of District 317A continues to serve as a model of sustainable community service, turning the Lions’ mission of “We Serve” into a daily reality at ESI Hospital, Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore.