2020. The pandemic was ravaging through the country, and the world. Dread gripped every corner of the country, and everyone had a lot on their minds – sick parents, loss of jobs, a world of uncertainty. Fears kept skyrocketing. And with it, the costs of food delivery services.
Migrant workers in different cities, however, were experiencing a very different turn of events. An abrupt halt of daily wages meant no food on the table, and the cessation of all travel meant no way back home. In other words, there was literally no way out.
2020. The pandemic was ravaging through the country, and the world. Dread gripped every corner of the country, and everyone had a lot on their minds – sick parents, loss of jobs, a world of uncertainty. Fears kept skyrocketing. And with it, the costs of food delivery services.
Migrant workers in different cities, however, were experiencing a very different turn of events. An abrupt halt of daily wages meant no food on the table, and the cessation of all travel meant no way back home. In other words, there was literally no way out.
This was when the seeds of Chennai Roti Bank were sown. The experience of feeding dozens of hungry migrant workers, led to the brainchild that eventually became a beacon of hope for thousands of city dwellers.
On August 5, 2021, our soup kitchen officially fed 125 caretakers at the Institute of Mental Health. These were the family and loved ones of patients, waiting by their side, attending to them, without so much as a biscuit packet or a fruit for fuel. Dinner with dignity has been on the menu every night since.
Over the past four years, our reach has expanded to include children, pavement dwellers, and the aged and destitute, across various pockets of the city, including Marina Beach, Korukupet, Chintadripet and Otteri. Given that Tamil Nadu already has an established mid-day meal scheme, it made sense for our contribution to continue to be an evening meal.
The Chennai Roti Bank is a self-funded registered trust and an independent branch of the Mumbai Roti Foundation. We are partnered by the Police Boys & Girls Clubs (PBGCs), Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children, and the Transgender Group at Chetpet.
Letika Saran is no stranger to this city. After all, she was the former Commissioner of Police and Director General, and former Head of Police in TN. And in her 36 years in the police force, she has witnessed a vast spectrum of human suffering – from drug abuse to abandoned parents, to children wandering the streets.
Knowing the city’s geography intimately, has allowed her to pinpoint neighborhoods and specific streets that are often overlooked. Starting the Chennai Roti Bank with her close friends when the pandemic hit was a natural progression of her steadfast service-oriented spirit.
For over 33 years, Sri Rajib Kumar Hota has dedicated himself to the nation working for the Central Board of Direct Taxes at the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi. Known for his integrity and empathetic approach, he went on to retire as the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Kolkata. His dedicated service led him to be celebrated as the RITZ AUDI ICON OF THE YEAR, 2014.
Despite retirement his desire to serve his fellow beings has led him to be actively involved with the Chennai Roti Bank and the Rotary Club of Madras, and lend his expertise as an independent director in hospitality, tax advisory, and media.
Nishath Basheer simply cares about people – even those she has never met. As a social worker and psychologist, empathy is woven into the fabric of her daily life. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded sensitive issues such as female foeticide (Salem babies project), abandoned and abused Children as Regional Head, Childline India, and infants with heart issues at Chime (MIOT Hospitals).
For over 30 years, she has touched countless lives, especially during the Chennai floods in 2016 and later, the pandemic, in 2020, working with stranded families, migrants, and senior citizens. She leads the outreach and day-to-day operations at Chennai Roti Bank.
Mr Mahadevan, popularly known as ‘Hot Breads Mahadevan’ is best associated with Chennai’s much-loved bakery chain. Since 1989, his fleet of restaurants has expanded exponentially, alongside his philanthropy, woven into the heart and soul of so many passion projects.
His charitable trust, Chennai Mission, trains and employs underprivileged youth (Winners Bakery), empowers burn victims to get back into the work force (Writer’s Cafe) and offers jobs to those with a mental illness who are often shunned by employers (R’vive Cafe). Not surprisingly, the food that feeds children each night, through Chennai Roti Bank, comes from his kitchens.
Gratefulness. That’s possibly what the visually impaired at Sankara Nethralaya feel when they first lay eyes on the woman whose voice guided them through their most difficult days. As one of the main volunteers, Sujatha Vishvanath spends long hours making their wait in the dark just a little bit more comfortable. This way, they go into treatments and surgery feeling more at ease.
Sujatha has conducted several eye camps in rural areas and also has her own charitable trust, which funds the education of underprivileged children. The Chennai Roti Bank feeds her soul, as much as it does the children it serves every night.
Starting in a small way to provide one wholesome meal at the end of the day to the needy, sustenance to starving people, homeless, the sick, the infirm and the mentally ill, a nutritious meal to children – we believe food is a basic human right, and that providing nutrition to the community is an act of compassion and care.
We envisage a world where there is inclusivity, where everyone has access to food at least once a day, regardless of their circumstance. Through our efforts, we wish to see that we are able to reach out to larger populations of children and adults, providing them good quality food, which is wholesome and nutritious, to genuinely make a difference in their life.
The Police Boys and Girls Club operate in various slums across Chennai, to keep children engaged and occupied in healthy activities including supervising their homework. Here, after their school day ends, children gather in a safe and structured environment — kept away from the streets, and from the lure of delinquency and
anti-social activities.
The nutritious dinners introduced here, have become a vital part of the mission of these clubs — feeding not just empty stomachs, but also fuelling young minds. Attendance has improved significantly, as children find not just food, but a place of belonging and growth. The promise of a meal has become the promise of a brighter future.
There are 108 PBGCs spread across the city and Chennai Roti Bank has touched nine so far. They aim to reach another nine this year. As attendance grows, so does the opportunity to provide these children with the safety, community, and nourishment they deserve.
Every day, 450 meals find their way into the mouths of children who would otherwise go without one.
The Police Boys and Girls Club operate in various slums across Chennai, to keep children engaged and occupied in healthy activities including supervising their homework. Here, after their school day ends, children gather in a safe and structured environment — kept away from the streets, and from the lure of delinquency and
anti-social activities.
The nutritious dinners introduced here, have become a vital part of the mission of these clubs — feeding not just empty stomachs, but also fuelling young minds. Attendance has improved significantly, as children find not just food, but a place of belonging and growth. The promise of a meal has become the promise of a brighter future.
There are 108 PBGCs spread across the city and Chennai Roti Bank has touched nine so far. They aim to reach another nine this year. As attendance grows, so does the opportunity to provide these children with the safety, community, and nourishment they deserve.
Every day, 450 meals find their way into the mouths of children who would otherwise go without one.
The Institute of Mental Health at Kilpauk, Chennai, is one of the oldest and largest mental health institutions in Asia. It includes an Outpatient Ward for patients who require observation and diagnosis before admission for further treatment. At this critical stage, patients need an attendant to stay with them.
Many of these attendants come from underprivileged, below-poverty-line (BPL) families and often struggle to afford even a basic meal. Chennai Roti Bank began its first meal distribution here — a programme that continues to this day. Today, 125 meals are provided to these dedicated caregivers waiting in the wards.
The Institute of Mental Health at Kilpauk, Chennai, is one of the oldest and largest mental health institutions in Asia. It includes an Outpatient Ward for patients who require observation and diagnosis before admission for further treatment. At this critical stage, patients need an attendant to stay with them.
Many of these attendants come from underprivileged, below-poverty-line (BPL) families and often struggle to afford even a basic meal. Chennai Roti Bank
began its first meal distribution here — a programme that continues to this day. Today, 125 meals are provided to these dedicated caregivers waiting in the wards.
The Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children runs several allied projects, including a home for elderly people living on the margins of society in Korukkupet. Chennai Roti Bank ensures a hot night meal reaches 85 elderly residents here. The NGO has now requested an additional 70 meals to meet the growing need.
When Chennai Roti Bank was launched, the team spent many nights scouring the city to find people, most in need of a hot nightly meal. Around Wallajah Road and Marina Beach Road, CRB encountered groups of people — men, women, and families — who had made these streets their home.
CRB’s meal distribution efforts were met with gratitude and relief. This work was further validated by a mini-study conducted by the Centre for Social Initiative and Management (CSIM), which confirmed that these communities look forward to the nightly meal from Chennai Roti Bank. Currently, 120 meals are provided here each day, with a request for an additional 60 meals.
When Chennai Roti Bank was launched, the team spent many nights scouring the city to find people, most in need of a hot nightly meal. Around Wallajah Road and Marina Beach Road, CRB encountered groups of people — men, women, and families — who had made these streets their home.
CRB’s meal distribution efforts were met with gratitude and relief. This work was further validated by a mini-study conducted by the Centre for Social
Initiative and Management (CSIM), which confirmed that these communities look forward to the nightly meal from Chennai Roti Bank. Currently, 120 meals are provided here each day, with a request for an additional 60 meals.
The transgender community at Chetpet, identified by the Centre for Social Initiative and Management (CSIM), is a group that has long been marginalised and overlooked. Many of them face daily struggles for dignity, shelter, and acceptance -basic rights that are often denied to them.
Every night, 25 meals make their way to this group, offering not just nourishment, but a moment of dignity and care. It’s more than just a meal – it’s a recognition of their humanity and a small step towards inclusion in a society that has a long way to go to achieve true tolerance.
Have questions, want to volunteer, or looking to support our cause? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out and be a part of the fight against hunger in Chennai.
