‘I Had to Sleep Hungry As a Kid’: This Man’s Free Tiffin Service Feeds Hundreds of Elderly Daily

At just 25, Deepankar Patil left his job as a graphic designer to do something meaningful. Now 31, he is the founding member of the ‘Art of Helping Foundation’.

Established in 2018, the NGO has been providing meals and support to hundreds of seniors (ajjis and azobas) in Pune. They offer regular tiffin services to elderly individuals without caregivers. The team of volunteers not only delivers nutritious meals but also takes care of household chores, provides groceries, blankets, and medicines.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Better India (@thebetterindia)

Deepankar was only two years old when he lost his father. Growing up fatherless came with a lot of issues but one of them was bringing food to the table. “My mother raised me and my elder sister all on her own. We often went to bed hungry and famished,” he tells the Milaap Foundation in an interview.

So with a deep understanding of what hunger and helplessness feels like, when Deepankar started to earn an income, he started taking some time out to deliver food to the senior citizens of Pune.

Later, he decided to give up his career and dedicate all his time to serving others. Treating all the elderly people like his grandparents, Deepankar has provided thousands of free meals through his foundation, so far.

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201 ₹501 ₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?

“When I was very sick once, a dadi told me that a person who feeds hundreds need to be alive for as long as he can,” he says, adding that this love he receives from these seniors keeps him going.

(Edited by Pranita Bhat)