A group of residents from Salt Lake’s FE Block distributed a week’s rations to the less privileged on Sunday.

Professionals, retired people, doctors and businessmen distributed food packets among labourers, rickshaw-pullers and cooks who hail from other states and are now stuck in the city because of the lockdown.

The Salt Lake FE Block Residents’ Association had raised funds over the past few weeks and started the distribution drive in front of the block’s community centre on Sunday afternoon.

Apart from the donations by residents, several who live abroad or work in other states pitched in using digital modes of payment, Basab Basak, a member of the association's executive committee, said.

Kallol Dutta, the secretary of the association, said a WhatsApp group was created for residents of the block and everyone was asked to suggest ways to help the needy.

One of the residents had pointed out that there was a sizeable chunk of labourers and rickshaw-pullers, who hail from other states but work in Salt Lake, Basak said. “We decided to help these workers because now they have limited resources and cannot return home. Most send money back home… now, they cannot do so because it is hard to find work as well as money to fend for themselves.”

Once those who need help were identified, another WhatsApp group was created, seeking contribution from residents, Basak said. Many residents responded. Some pitched in with money while some gave bags of rice, pulses and cereals, he said.

A group of volunteers from the association went around the block and neighbouring ones to give coupons to migrant workers, asking them to reach the FE Block community centre on Sunday afternoon.

More than 60 men and women received packets, each of which had 2kg each of rice, atta and potatoes. Two packets of soya beans, too, were given.

Five residents in masks handed out the packets while maintaining social distance.

“Apart from the packets, we gave them soaps. We will conduct a similar drive next week,” Basak said.