Prodapt, a software and engineering services provider, has set up a community refrigerator at Prince Infocity II on Rajiv Gandhi Salai in Kandanchavadi. The company has an office at this IT facility.

Employees of Prodapt and other companies at Infocity II can stock the refrigerator with food, fruits, sweets and savouries.

The refrigerator will be kept open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m, all through the week.

This initiative of Prodapt is supported by Ayyamittu Unn, launched by The Public Foundation last year.

Mary Vikram, who is part of the human resources department at Prodapt, says, “We will ensure there is no lack of food in the refrigerator, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. If necessary, Prodapt will buy food from nearby restaurants and food courts and keep the refrigerator well-stocked. Though the refrigerator is located on the premises of Prince Infocity II, a separate entrance has been created to enable access to it. This way, the movement of employees will not be hampered.

Prodapt has employed a security guard to manage the beneficiaries queuing up in front of the refrigerator. He also has to ensure that nobody takes more than their fair share of food. As there is always the possibility that some beneficiaries will sell the food.”

Uncooked grains, pulses and vegetables and raw meat, fish and eggs are a strict no-no. Vegetables that make up a salad are an exception though. Any food found bitten will not be accepted. Donors will not be allowed to keep the food in vessels. They have to pack the food before placing it in the refrigerator. The packed food should have a label providing information such as name of the cuisine, the time it was cooked and the probably time it can go stale.

A logbook containing the names of donors, their contact numbers, the food items they have donated, the time these items was cooked, and how long they will last, will be maintained.

Similarly, a record of the names and contact details of the beneficiaries and what they took will also be maintained.

Issa Fathima Jasmine, founder of The Public Foundation, says “As construction work is high on Rajiv Gandhi Salai, there are many daily wage labourers, including migrant workers, in the region. They will benefit from this initiative. And the IT professionals can be donors.”

The customised refrigerator has also been provided with slots with normal temperature where people can leave clothes, books and stationeries.

For details, call 94451 97723 / 94451 97728.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by L. Kanthimathi / March 30th, 2018