Posts tagged Miyagi
Food for Life in Japan – Week 6
May 28th
Thank you very much. This looks awesome!
Miyagi, Japan, May 22, 2011 — Just as small drops make up a large ocean, similarly, the efforts of a few selfless volunteers from Food for Life Japan to alleviate the suffering of the Japanese is growing beyond imagination. People from all walks of life are joining hands with Food for Life with a desire to offer their best service. “What we have seen in past few weeks is no less than a miracle,” explained Food for Life Global director for Japan, Shrikant Shah. “This endeavour is no longer limited to just one team, group or religious group. It truly is a community effort — families joining hands under one banner reaching out to help those less fortunate,” he explained. “Food for Life Global’s financial support, coming from donors from around the world, has also made a huge impact on our success,” he said.
Samosas, roti, veg curries and cake
Key Highlights
- A brand new mini-van (Suzuki-Every) donated by BAPS charity NewYork
- 47 volunteers from various locations, some as far as 150 Kms fromTokyo came to assist.
- A separate team headed out to Sendai to perform Kirtan.
- Donations and appreciation from Japanese firms, including the BAPS CHARITY from New York (from Swami Narayan Temple) who generously donated a brand new mini-van, “Suzuki-Every” to be used by volunteers in assisting the elderly at evacuation centres (FFLG Japan managed the legal transaction). And a Japanese firm, Mitsubishi Tote, donated 359 brand new hand bags for ladies staying the shelter in Wataricho (picture:http://tinyurl.com/fflbag).
- A team of ISKCON devotee counsellors were invited by the local authorities to perform kirtan to rejuvenate the low moral of the people in three shelters in Sendai.
A total of 42 volunteers from Kofu, Okachimachi, and the Kasai/Nishi-kasai district came together for the program last weekend. Dinner was served to more than 1,000 people staying in three relief camps. The vegetarian dinner included roti (Indian flatbread), 3 vegetarian curries, samosas, mango lassi and a desert shahi tukda (Indian cake).
Yoga session before lunch
Once again, the elaborate meals were prepared by Govinda’s restaurant in Tokyo who have provided hot meals every week since the emergency relief started. A convoy of 9 cars and one refrigerated truck loaded with 1000 kg of vegetables travelled the hundreds of miles to the relief centres. “These vegetables and fruits we give them will provide breakfast and lunch for the next three days,” explained Shah.
Govinda's manager and FFL Japan volunteer, Manoj-San instructing other volunteers how to serve the lunch.
A special acknowledgement goes out to the various cooks and kitchen hands. 1,000 rotis were made by: Baid Bhabhi, Neena bhabhi, SangeetaBhabhi, Nikita Mithal, Kavita Sonkiya, Arti Jain, Neha Choudhary, Priyankaji and Surya Restaurant. Manoj Bhandari san, Manoj Jain san ( Bunty san), Navneet Mehta san, Neeraj Kothari san, and Ajit Kumar san donated 150,000 JPY to make the mango lassi, samosas and snacks served at the Okuna Elementry school.
I can hardly wait to eat this...thank you.
The following volunteers helped in 1000 kgs loading fruits and vegetables:- Jatin Ji, Jagmohan Ji, Satish Ji, Bhavik Ji, Sandeep Pr Ji, SanjayPr Ji, Raghu Pr Ji,Sarwanji, and one volunteer from Okachimachi and oneform Ojima joined in.
Anup Agarwal-ji sponsored food for two centers (3 curries, salad and desert), Hemant Pandyaji (Jewelex japan) sponsered fruits and worth 227,800 JPY, while four Japanese volunteers Kyoko san, Kazusan, Kaorisan,Yamazakisan conducted yoga sessions. As for today Food for Life Japan has served hot meals to 4,600 people in Miyagi and fresh fruits and vegetables to provide breakfast and lunch for 16,500 people.
Contact:
Shrikant Shah, FFLG Japan director (+81-90-1469-6129 or shrikantshrigems@gmail.com
Photos:
Below were taken by professional photographer Mayumi Ishi
https://picasaweb.google.com/108067341048284752343/FFL_May_22
Preparation:
HOW YOU CAN HELP
An enormous effort is required throughout the whole cycle from preparation to distribution. Food for Life Japan is seeking help for driving, transportation, shopping,cutting vegetables, cooking, packing, distribution, cleaning, and donations in kind and/or cash. If you know of someone who can help, please alert them to the opportunities available. Finally, please pray for the affected. Sincere prayers are mighty then Tsunami and will always help. We welcome your suggestions or comments to further assist in this important service.
ONLINE DONATIONS
- Donate directly to Food for Life Japan
- Donate through Food for Life Global – Emergency Fund (tax deductible with the USA)
Emergency Relief
Donate to the Food for Life Global emergency fund to help FFLG coordinate disaster relief when the need arises. We are currently sending all emergency donations to Japan.
Food for Life in Japan – Week 5
May 17th
FFL Volunteer Madhu Mangala unloading fruits and vegetables from the FFL truck
Sunday, 15th May 2011 (Wataricho, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) – Last Sunday was one of biggest Food For Life relief efforts since the Tohoku Mega-Disaster in Japan. A sumptuous prasadam dinner was served to 980 people at three relief-camps.
In addition, over 1000 kilograms of fruits and vegetables were provided for breakfast meals for 1,375 people over next three days.
FFL Global Director, Shrikant Shah said, “These results were possible through tireless efforts of 41 volunteers from Food for Life, Agrawal Association Japan, Hindi Sabha, and the Tokyo Maheshwari Group who worked throughout the day and drove over 800 kms in a convoy of 8 cars and one truck!”
Vege Curries, rice, flatbread, salad and a cookie
Shah, also explained that the planning and co-ordination of these services has itself been enormous. “We start planning on the following Monday for the next Sunday effort. It requires a whole week of careful coordination and planning. We are especially thankful for Akhilesh Ji for his help in this regard.”
A told of six food stalls were setup at the three shelters. The dinner consisted of two hot vegetarian curries (Chickpea masala curry and Paneer masala curry), fresh salad, home-made Thepla (Masala-flatbreads) and a wholemeal cookie. To the delight of all, a special sachet of Organic Tulsi Ginger tea (Caffeine FREE) was served.
FFL Volunteers serving dinner
“The dinner was relished by everyone and many requested for “O-kawari” (second helpings) of the curries,” explained volunteer coordinator, Madhu Mangal.
In serving these delicious meals, Food for Life volunteers try to be as sensitive to the feelings of the Japanese people, many of whom are still in a state of shock and depression. “We do our best to engage in positive conversations with them and also try to play with the children to uplift their spirits,” explained volunteer, Tapasvini Dasi.
Other volunteers included residents from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Ojima Indians, and Nishi Ojima Indians who pitched in enthusiastically to make the project a success.
Japanese children doing their homework at one of the many shelters.
Contact
Shrikant Shah, FFLG Japan director (+81-90-1469-6129 or shrikantshrigems@gmail.com)
Plan for coming weeks:
For coming weekend (May-22)
The Kofu Indian Group has pledged 14 volunteers to serve meals to 770 people at three shelters and also distribute 1000 kg fruits and vegetables.
The following week we plan serve around 1350 people, for which we will need many volunteers.
Food for Life Japan is now aiming to provide these food services on a daily basis for as long as possible. “As long as funding and volunteer support is there then we can keep this up,” said Shah.
If you are interested in helping, we urge you to come forward now and help.
Photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068806464452734982/May15FoodForLife#
https://picasaweb.google.com/Tarun.Mohta/MiyagiFFL20110515?feat=directlink
Fruits and Vegetables for 3-days of breakfast:
➢ ORANGE 600 PCS
➢ APPLE 600 PCS
➢ GRAPEFRUITS 600 PCS
➢ BANANA 1,000 PCS
➢ MIKAN 600 PCS
➢ KIWI 300 PCS
➢ MELON 56 PCS
➢ LETTUCE 100 PCS.
➢ CUCUMBER 30 KG
➢ SPINACH 100 PACKS
➢ TOMATO 720 PCS
➢ CAULIFLOWER 100 PCS
Food for Life Japan – Week 3
May 5th
FFL volunteer serving meals in Japan (Photo: Mayumi Ishii)
May 1, Sunday (Miyagi, Japan) — A convoy of six cars carrying 32 Food for Life volunteers left the Govindas kitchen in Tokyo at 3.50am to bring a freshly cooked lunch to three relief centres in the Miyagi district. Meals were provided for 726 survivors, as well as 50 local relief volunteers. SEE: PICASA Slideshow (PHOTOS). Photos by: Mayumi Ishii
Hari-San and Manoj-San from the FFL Global affiliate, Govindas restaurant prepared the vegetarian curries for the distribution. Assisting them were Tapasvini Devi Dasi and Mrs. Akibasan who made cakes; local FFL volunteer coordinator Madhu Mangal Das who prepared a giant salad and Mrs. Purnim Shah who oversaw the making of 1100 masala paratha (flatbreads).
Japanese tsunami survivors enjoying a Food for Life lunch in their makeshift "rooms". (Photo: Mayumi Ishii)
Other noteworthy volunteers were Vishvambar Das, as well as Anup Bhai, Jayesh Narula, Suresh Ji, Fujita-San, Kubota-San, and Alina Devi Dasi who partnered with Purnima Shah to provide all the vehicles. The volunteers covered all fuel and toll charges so that 100% of the donations could be used specifically for feeding people.
The previous week, Madhu Mangala and his assistant Fujita-San took extensive notes on how best to serve the survivors and this proved invaluable on Sunday. “It made the whole planning of our distribution very easy,” explained FFL Japan director, Shrikant Shah.
“The FFL volunteers worked so hard and gave their all,” said Shah. “And it was shown by how much the people loved the food we served.”
Govindas Restaurant manager, Manoj-San consols some of the survivors (Photo: Mayumi Ishii)
The local relief volunteers told the Food for Life team that they would not waste any of the food, and whatever was left over would be used for the next meal.
“The refugees were so happy that they applauded us after serving them,” explained Shah. “They were absolutely thrilled with the cakes. I got a call from the director of the Wataricho relief centre, Mr. Suzuki-San and he told me that ‘no one had ever brought them desserts before!’”
The Food for Life volunteers returned at 11pm, after which FFL Yoga teachers, Purnim Shah and Ishigaki-San led all the volunteers through a breathing exercises and karada yoga. The team are currently preparing to visit again next Sunday.
PICASA Slideshow (PHOTOS). Photos by: Mayumi Ishii
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
An enormous effort is involved in procuring, preparing, and distributing the food. Food for Life Japan is appealing for help with shopping, packing, cutting vegetables, cooking, and cleaning, as well as donations in kind and/or cash. Local volunteer, Sanjiv Keswani made an appeal on behalf of the survivors, “Although many people have come forward to help FFL Japan, we still need a lot more support to continue. Please spread the word, but more importantly, please pray for the affected. Sincere prayers are mightier than the greatest Tsunami and will always help,” he pleaded.
WHERE CAN YOU SEND YOUR OFFERING?
Donations of produce or personal supplies may be delivered at the ISKCON Temple in Funabori, Japan.
(ISKCON New Gaya Japan)
2-23-4 Funabori, Edogawa-ku,
Tokyo – 134-0091
Phone: 03-3877-3000
Mobile: 080-5412-2528,
080-5405-8977,
080-3753-5097
ONLINE DONATIONS
- Donate directly to Food for Life Japan
- Donate through Food for Life Global – Emergency Fund (tax deductible with the USA)
Emergency Relief
Donate to the Food for Life Global emergency fund to help FFLG coordinate disaster relief when the need arises. We are currently sending all emergency donations to Japan.
