Mangaluru: The Karunya meal project at District Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru has been forced to switch to firewood cooking due to a shortage of LPG cylinders, even as volunteers strive to continue providing dinner to patient attendants every day.

The meal service, run by the M-Friends Charitable Trust, has been offering free dinner to attendants of patients at the government hospital for the past eight years. The initiative has supported hundreds of people who stay at the hospital premises to care for their relatives undergoing treatment.

Despite the current fuel shortage affecting its kitchen operations, the trust has continued the service by adapting its cooking method.

Around 400 people served daily

According to the organisers, the project provides dinner daily to around 400 people at District Wenlock Hospital.

Over the last six months, the service has also been extended to Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangaluru, increasing the number of beneficiaries who depend on the initiative for a warm meal at night.

The food is prepared in the trust’s kitchen and transported to the hospitals for distribution. Volunteers and staff members ensure that the meals reach attendants waiting with patients in the hospital wards.

Organisers say the initiative has become a crucial support system for many families who come from rural areas and cannot afford to buy meals regularly during hospital stays.

Menu reduced due to fuel shortage

Until recently, the Karunya meal project maintained a fixed weekly menu.

Chapati and curry were served five days a week, while idlis and saaru were served on two days. This arrangement ensured that attendants received a balanced and varied meal.

However, the LPG shortage has forced the team to simplify the menu as firewood cooking requires more time and effort.

At present, the trust is serving limited meals such as vegetable biryani or rice and sambar to ensure the service continues without interruption.

Organisers said that although the menu has been reduced, their priority is to ensure that patient attendants do not go hungry.

Appeal for LPG cylinders

The trust has now appealed to the district administration and donors to help resolve the LPG shortage.

According to the organisers, the kitchen requires at least four to five LPG cylinders to resume normal cooking operations.

If the required supply is arranged, the trust will be able to restart the earlier menu, including chapatis and idlis, which were regularly served before the crisis.

The trust said that consistent LPG supply is essential to maintain large-scale cooking for hundreds of beneficiaries every day.

Service continues despite challenges

Despite the challenges caused by the fuel shortage, volunteers have continued their efforts to ensure the meal programme does not stop.

For many patient attendants, especially those coming from economically weaker backgrounds, the Karunya meal service has become an essential support during difficult times.

Organisers expressed hope that with support from the administration and donors, the project will soon overcome the LPG shortage and restore its full meal service.

Conclusion

The Karunya meal project has played a vital role in supporting patient attendants at government hospitals in Mangaluru for nearly a decade. While the LPG shortage has temporarily affected the menu, the trust remains committed to continuing the service.

With assistance from authorities and well-wishers, the organisers hope to resume their regular cooking operations and continue serving hundreds of people every day.