Rashan Distribution – Safaid Posh

Our Story

There are few restaurants in Karachi Pakistan where poor, hungry people gather outside the restaurant to get food/meals FREE of Cost.

They wait for some kindhearted person to come and pay for 1, 2, 10 or more persons’ food package (which is usually 2 roti and a curry) to the restaurant owner, who, in turn asks one of the waiters to provide food to that number of people. Rest of them wait for their turn.

This is supposed to be the best Sadaqa to provide food to the hungry and I saw no person going hungry from that restaurant.

One of my relatives living in Saudi Arabia used to regularly send funds for such Sadqa. They wanted to send more funds to feed more people but wanted to know a better way whereby once or twice a week should become daily routine. It was practically difficult to go to the restaurant thrice a day for 30 days a month.

So my father Shakil R. Khan, proposed that we find such deserving people who, even cannot come to the restaurant for food collection (like widows, small children and elderly) and provide uncooked grocery food items to their doorsteps.

This was a two-way triumph. One, we find more deserving people and Two, we provide food for the whole month to the whole family, with a little effort of few days only.

A team was created (comprised of (Mr. Shamim, Habib (Late) and his 7 brothers & Nafees (Late)) lead by my father. Our old shop at Ayesha-Manzil was selected for dumping & packing the grocery items. A van was purchased for the sole purpose of providing grocery items to the deserving at their doorsteps.

A process was defined before a person is declared “deserving”. A form has to be filled by Nafees sb (operations manager) after thorough investigation with the deserving family, by taking details of their family members, who is earning how much, education of the children, house is owned or rented, can the mother/wife/lady of the house has any skills of sewing, cooking in large quantities or teaching to children etc.

This form is formally approved and the families NIC, home address and phone numbers were recorded in our database. The ration is then started for the family.

The details were taken because, One we want to ascertain that the monthly grocery is really going to the deserving and Two, to know if we can provide further assistance to the family so that they could become self-reliant (for example by providing a sewing machine, If the lady knows how to sew clothes, sell and earn her living).

Some of the families not only get monthly ration, but also their children’s school fee is paid by us. We started this process with a humble start of 10 families in old Nazimabad area in the February 2016 and have never looked back since. The families who are getting ration per month have grown from 10 to 250 to date, Alhamdulillah.

In the course of time we have not only provided ration to these families but have stood with them in their trying times. We have provided dowry to a number of girls who got married, repaired Auto Rickshaws, provided food carts, & sewing machines to a number of people so that they could start earning their living.

As they say its better to teach them how to fish than to feed them fish.

This is all Volunteer work. Workers are paid but for their duties but none of the management staff takes a penny.

The only reward we seek is to see happy faces, forgiveness of our sins by the Almighty Allah and Jannah in the hereafter.

What we do for Ration Distribution among the deserving poor and needy

In response to the pressing socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable communities in Pakistan, a dedicated non-governmental organization, SafaidPosh has taken a proactive role in alleviating hunger and promoting food security through its free ration distribution initiatives.

By recognizing the profound impact of poverty on access to basic necessities, the organization has established a robust system to identify and support those in need.

Through strategic partnerships, fundraising efforts, and community engagement, the organization secures essential food items / groceries and distributes them across various regions in Karachi. This noble endeavor aims to ensure that marginalized populations, have access to nutritious meals, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and resilience of the communities it serves.
Our commitment to free ration distribution underscores the importance of collective efforts in addressing societal challenges and fostering a sense of solidarity and compassion among its beneficiaries.

Benefits for society, we see in our work

The distribution of ration to the poor and deserving populations yields several significant advantages, contributing to the overall well-being of communities facing economic challenges.

1. Food Security

Monthly Ration distribution ensures a more reliable and stable source of food for vulnerable individuals and families, reducing the risk of hunger and malnutrition. This, in turn, promotes overall health and contributes to the development of children and adults alike.

2. Poverty Alleviation

By providing essential food items, ration distribution directly addresses a fundamental aspect of poverty, offering immediate relief to those struggling to meet their basic needs. This support can serve as a crucial stepping stone for individuals and families striving to overcome financial difficulties.

3. Educational Impact

A consistent supply of nutritious food enables children to focus better on their education, breaking the cycle of poverty. Ration distribution thus indirectly supports educational outcomes by improving attendance, concentration, and overall cognitive development.

4. Community Stability

Ensuring that the basic nutritional needs of the population are met fosters a sense of stability within communities. This stability can contribute to social cohesion, reduce desperation, and minimize the potential for social unrest arising from economic disparities.

5. Health Improvement

Adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining good health. Ration distribution helps prevent and mitigate health issues related to malnutrition, particularly among children, widows and elderly, promoting healthier communities in the long run.

6. Dignity & Empowerment

Access to free ration empowers individuals and families by preserving their dignity. It alleviates the emotional and psychological stress associated with the inability to provide for oneself and one’s family, fostering a sense of self-worth and empowerment.

In summary, the distribution of ration to the poor and deserving serves as a crucial instrument for immediate relief, long-term development, and the creation of more resilient and empowered communities.

We hear some of the Genuine & very Emotional comments from those who receive Ration, almost every month, are here for your read.

1. “In the moments when our stomachs were empty and hope seemed distant, the ration provided by the SafaidPosh people became our lifeline. It’s not just food; it’s a testament to the kindness that still exists in this world, a reminder that we are not alone in our struggle.” Sughra Mai (mother of 4)

2.”The simple act of receiving free ration has transformed our tears into smiles, our despair into hope. It’s about the warmth and compassion that accompany every grocery bag, telling us that someone cares.” Javed Ronald Maseeh

3. “When the world felt like it had turned its back on us, SafaidPosh embraced us with open arms and a bag full of essentials. Thank you.” Mrs. (late) Habib

4.”The SafaidPosh people are not only humble in their behavior but good listeners to our plea. They support out of the way, especially during the month of Ramzan and both Eid days.” Mrs. Aamna Syed (She supports 10 special children in her house with the Ration we provide to them every month).

5.”We receive Monthly Ration with dignity. Our self respect is uphold by the staff and even our neighbors are not aware that we are NOT paying for the groceries. Good Luck to you in your endeavors”. Aqeel Bhai (furniture polish worker)

6.”This message is for SafaidPosh staff. You restored our faith in humanity, your generosity goes beyond the rice and lentils. You’ve given us back our self-worth, proving that kindness can heal wounds and nourish souls. You are not ordinary people but angels in disguise.” Mrs. Asif (Widow, mother of 3 girls. Their school fee is also paid by us)

Future Plans

Transitioning deserving families from dependency on free ration to sustainable employment involves thoughtful planning and multifaceted strategies. Here are some plans (most of these are our heartfelt wishes) to empower these families and facilitate their return to work:

Skills / Vocational Training Programs: Implement comprehensive skills training programs tailored to the needs of the community. Equip individuals with marketable skills, enhancing their employability and opening doors to various job opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Support: Offer support for small-scale entrepreneurial ventures. Provide training in business management, financial literacy, and mentorship to help individuals start and sustain their own businesses, fostering economic independence

Education and Literacy Programs: Address educational gaps by offering literacy programs and educational resources. Improving literacy levels enhances individuals’ capacity to access a wider range of employment opportunities

Microfinance Initiatives: Establish microfinance initiatives to provide low-interest loans for income-generating activities. This can empower individuals to invest in their skills or start small businesses, breaking the cycle of poverty

Community Partnerships: Forge partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions. Collaborative efforts can lead to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities and a more holistic approach to community development

Childcare Support: Recognize the importance of childcare in enabling parents to work. Implement initiatives such as community daycare centers or subsidies to make it easier for parents to balance work and family responsibilities

By implementing these plans, SafaidPosh and community organizations can help deserving families regain their self-sufficiency, promoting sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic empowerment

Donation Drive

In order to continue to provide groceries ration to the deserving families and to work on the future plans, we at SafaidPosh org., need your support:

a) Adopt x number of families @ Rs 5,000 per month ( US$ 17 per family a month) for ration provision.

b) Provide Zakat for Poor girls’ wedding expenses: You may send your contribution starting from US$ 100 or above.

c) Provide Sadqa for your (late) loved ones. This fund is to be used in supporting education & skill development of the children of the deserving people. Hence sending sadqa -e- Jaria to your loved ones. You may send your contribution starting from US$ 100 or above.

d) Provide Zakat / Sadqa funds for providing fruit cart or auto rikshaw or sewing machines or tools to the labor to make him/her self-reliant.

You can send your contributions to the following account to our US based representative,

Ms. Farah Qasim Zelle: Account Number 03462743103

Or to the following account in Pakistan:

Account Title: Shuja ur Rahman Khan
Bank: Meezan Bank Ltd, Beaumont Plaza branch
IBAN Number: PK 63 MEZN 0001 9201 0131 9080
Swift Code: MEZNPKKA
Type of Account: CURRENT

Ration Procurement, packing and distribution Team

Enayat Ali Ghouri

Senior Member-I
Ration Drive

His role is to perform surveys, procure ration items, get the ration packed and distribute.
He also takes care of delivering of ration at the doorstep of the deserving.

He is with the team since 2018

Abdul Naeem

Senior Member-II
Ration Drive

His role is to look after quality assurance while packing is being done, performing surveys to identify the deserving or otherwise and to manage listings.

He is with the team since 2020