This dinner is a winner: Mother-daughter duo of upscale baking venture gives free meals

Simran (second from r) and her mother Tina (extreme r) cook up a warm storm. Pic/Shadab Khan

An upscale bakery in Versova that has vegan, grain-free, gluten-free breads and desserts on its menu has decided to add another free to that list by giving free meals to the Covid-19 afflicted.

Founder entrepreneur Simran Bapu, 24, of The Paleoo Bakes said, "My company has been doing well since the first lockdown. The takeaway business is up. I witnessed the virulence of the second wave, the devastation it wrought on all. My mother Tina and I decided to turn profit lines into a lifeline. Inspired by so many who were giving back to the community in different ways, we started giving meals for free to the Covid-19 afflicted."

Both mother and daughter claim that the decision to deliver meals also hinged on the fact that they had the infrastructure because of their bakery business. "We hired two helpers and started cooking and delivering meals to those who are unable to cook because they have contracted Covid-19, and others in the family cannot cook too as they need to isolate. We have a lot of older persons who are taking these basic meals which are given at dinner time. We usually give roti, veg [sabzi], dal and rice, with a dessert," Simran said.

It is dinner time

Tina said, "These are uncertain times when everything is at a standstill. A meal now is more than a meal, it uplifts the mood of people afflicted with Covid-19." The Bapus explained, "There are persons like watchmen in certain buildings in the area, who also get this meal service. The general pandemic situation has been crunch time financially for a lot of people. Even if these persons are employed, they have seen incomes dip overall, with salaries being slashed, benefits curbed."

The meals, which Simran said, "are now 150 to 200 a day at dinner time, are delivered in the evenings by my driver who also has two other persons to help him. We do provide lunch but that is just to one or two persons who need lunch. Our regular time though is evenings for dinner delivery. We have reached 150 to 200 through social media. Word also spread that we are offering free meals".

Also Read: How Mumbai citizen volunteers rose to organise hospital beds and hot meals in the second wave

For Simran, the personal became a spur for the movement. "I had witnessed relatives suffering, my mother's friends in a difficult space because there was nobody to cook when they were ill with the virus. We used to send them meals and we decided to expand this to help those in need." she added, "We plan to continue this for another month at least. Currently, it is self-funded. If we reach 500 meals for dinner, we may just consider sponsorship, some people have reached out to us, with a willingness to sponsor some part of this initiative," explained the young dietician.

Cheers to them

Ashok Kumar from Versova is one of the very few who gets lunch from the Bapus' kitchen. Said Ashok Kumar, "This has helped tremendously in difficult times. I am 75-plus and live alone. Great food and spot-on service makes this a real boon for persons like me."

Zil Damania from Andheri (W) who is recovering from Covid-19 said that her family of four has been afflicted. "So a nutritious and hygienic, balanced dinner is a welcome homemade meal for me and my family. We have not had to pay for this too. May Simran Bapu and her tribe increase," she finished, while Tina added as a postscript (PS), "No act of kindness is ever wasted. This is our endeavour to bring comfort into homes of people battling illness, some fear because of uncertainty, problems brought on by Covid-19 restrictions. They just need the reassurance that a warm meal can give."

150-200
No. of meals the Bapus are delivering every day