Khaana Chahiye Foundation: Feeding Thousands During Lockdowns

With lockdowns across the world because of COVID-19, numerous lives entered into chaos. Streets lay empty, businesses fell silent, and the appetite slowly began to develop into a silent crisis. The struggle of Gujarat, Bangalore, and Bihar-based family wage earners, migrants, and the homeless in Mumbai turned into a nightmare. Where the system failed to perform, humanity stepped in, and the Khaana Chahiye Foundation became a shining example.

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The foundation was born from a simple question—Who will feed the hungry? Khaana Chahiye sprang into action in March 2020 as a citizen-led movement. The foundation had neither big names nor corporate funding but had the fierce urgency of action. From feeding a few homeless souls, the movement snowballed into a citywide relief operation among the heavyweights in power. With hunger mapping undertaken by volunteers, they coordinated with civic bodies, and in a matter of weeks, they were feeding thousands daily.

In cooperation with other kitchens and logistics support, the foundation was able to scale up from over 70,000 meals a day during the peak lockdown period to even harder-hit areas. From railway stations, where stranded migrants had gathered, to slum pockets, where ration lines stretched endlessly, Khaana Chahiye penetrated with severe hard hits by hunger. They never waited for permission—then just found a way. With anything they could get- Crowdsource funding, borrowed vehicles, or connecting through the word-of-mouth coordination, that kept scaling up.

But what set Khaana Chahiye apart is transparency. Every rupee donated, every meal served was accounted for and made public. From regular updates, audit reports, to donor dashboards, the foundation built a rare trust in the eyes of the public. People did not only donate; they became part of something bigger. Everyone chipped in—students, artists, IT professionals, retired people—this became a true citizens' movement.

The foundation soon began responding to the changing nature of the crisis. They did not stop with just cooked meals. Recognizing longer-term needs, ration kits were distributed to over 60,000 families. They set up support for migrants, supporting train-bound workers with meals and essentials. Khaana Chahiye returned to the streets when the second wave struck, equally with vengeance—faster, better, more determined.

Khaana Chahiye have also been central to starting conversations about urban hunger, a conversation too often ignored. Working with researchers and policy advocates, they want to ensure that hunger is perceived as not merely a pandemic problem but one that is systemic and in need of long-term action. They do not operate merely in the charity domain but instead advocate for sustainable solutions and governmental accountability.

Khaana Chahiye stands testament that empathy can shine light on cities, even in dark times. It bears witness that impossible goals—like feeding a city in crisis—can be achieved with collective will and local action. From WhatsApp groups to feeding networks, from panic to purpose, this foundation took a moment of despair to construct a movement of hope.

Hunger may have been invisible. But with Khaana Chahiye, so was no one.