Once Starving & Homeless, Dietym Now Gives Free Food To Hundreds Of Helpless People

Shivam Soni is no stranger to pain and hardship. He went through one of the lowest points in his life in 2020 when mounting debt and the Covid-19 pandemic left him completely helpless. He was depressed, suicidal and didn’t know what was in store for him next.

“I dropped out of engineering college in 2016 and started a small restaurant called Street 16 in my hometown, Sikand, Madhya Pradesh. I had borrowed money from my friends to open the restaurant, but in 2018 I got diagnosed with a skin disease and everything changed then. I couldn’t be near food for health and safety reasons, and I had to keep going to the doctor for treatment. I then had no option to close my restaurant in 2020.” - Dietym Soni 

Shivam was 18 lakh in debt, with no way to pay even a single rupee back. He decided to run away to Indore, leaving his family with a suicide note. However, fate had other plans for him. Today, Dietym is helping hundreds who have suffered through hunger just like him. And his journey has just begun.

The Beginning Of Hunger Langar

Shivam reached Indore with only Rs. 500 at hand and survived on biscuits, and slept in railway stations, bus stations, government hospitals and even on the streets. He relied on the langar’s (community kitchen of a gurdwara) for his daily meals and somehow managed to get a job as a security guard after days and days of going hungry. After working hard and saving as much as he could, Dietym decided to help all those who have struggled just like him.  

“I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through. I’ve spent so many nights without food, not knowing if I'll even make it to the next day...no one else deserves that. There are so many people going hungry, and I want to do everything I can to help them.”

Inspired by the food served to him at the gurdwara, Dietym started Hunger Langar in November 2020. Here, he sells briyani vada pav, medu vada and masala dosa for Rs. 10 and a vegetarian thali for Rs. 30. However, for those who cannot afford the food, he gives it to them for free.  

The Challenges Of The Pandemic

The pandemic had already nearly destroyed Dietym’s life once, and with the second wave this year, countless people were left with nothing. Dietym decided to take his mission a step further amid this crisis, and started a weekly free food drive where he ensures at least 200 people are given fresh and healthy food.  

“I know the value of food, it’s one of the most important things right now. Through this free food drive I want to give people the hope they so badly need right now. I survived because of the kindness of langars, I want to do the same for others. However, I can’t do it alone anymore.”

Shivam now needs your help to get grocery kits so that he can continue his free food drive and feed more people.

How You Can Help

With your support, Dietym can get enough grocery kits to cook healthy meals for hundreds more. Dietym has been feeding 200 people for free so far, and your contributions can ensure he feeds hundreds more. You can help him continue his mission of feeding the helpless.