In Kochi, there is a refrigerator attached to a tree outside Pappadavada restaurant, where one can drop the leftover food from their home so that it can be consumed by anyone who is hungry. Known as ‘Nanma Maram’ or the ‘Tree of Goodness,’ the refrigerator runs 24×7. This refrigerator idea was a brainchild of Minu Pauline, who runs a food joint in Kochi’s Kaloor.

The entrepreneur, who left her Citibank job, started a chain of restaurants called Pappadavada in September 2013. She believed that she owed the success of her restaurant to the society. And so she decided it was time to give back.

Inspired by the concept of Malappuram Municipality’s January 2015 project named ‘Akshayapathram,’ where people could deposit fresh as well as leftover food in refrigerators owned by the government and placed in specified locations,  Minu came up with this idea, thinking that people bringing leftover food from homes, was even better than paying for someone else.

She installed a fridge outside her restaurant for the homeless, where people could donate leftover food. The initiative, which was launched on March 23, has been named “Nanma Maram,” because the refrigerator is installed under a Konna tree. Anyone who is unable to buy a meal for themselves can avail food from Nanma Maram.

The fridge runs for 24 hours a day and the electricity, as well as maintenance of the fridge is handled by Pappadavada. The restaurant itself is donating 50 food-packets each day. Those leaving their food packets in the refrigerator are asked to write the date of packing so that they can ensure fresh food is provided.

And one doesn’t necessarily need to eat in Pappada Vada to be able to donate to the fridge. Minu said the scheme have received good response from the public so far, with many people coming forward to contribute. While some were willing to buy food from outside to deposit in the refrigerator, Minu said she encourages people to bring the left-over food from their home, which would otherwise go waste.

The idea behind this fridge was twofold. Not only are they making use of leftovers that otherwise go rotten in your own fridge but they are also feeding the needy.

We appreciate this innovative effort by Minu Pauline to provide food to those who are needy. She has taken a step forward to a better society.