- Five women started Shathi Sisters, a multifaith soup kitchen that distributes meals to the less fortunate in Montreal.
- The women meet every month to cook 100 meals.
- The Shathi sisters hope to expand their services and eventually do this mission once a week.
Five women, called the Shathi Sisters, launched a multifaith soup kitchen that gets together once a month to cook meals for the less fortunate Montrealers.
When COVID-19 hit the world and brought even more struggle to the already difficult lives of those in need, these women gladly ventured on this project.
Co-founder Rumana Sobhan said, “That time the pandemic was going on, many people lost their homes. They are homeless. So, it was a great timing for us to start with this.”
Rumana added that serving the community is the reason behind her engagement.
Shathi, a Bangladeshi word that means togetherness, lies at the core of this beautiful mission. Besides giving food to the needy, the multifaith soup kitchen project has also brought these women together. And they always look forward to it.
“The fact that we were able to see each other once a month actually really boosted our morale,” said Irene Mazumder. “We always chat, we have a group chat. Chatting is nice but seeing and being together is a different feeling.”
The once-a-month cooking every Saturday started in December. The Shathi Sisters cook 100 meals and distribute them around downtown Montreal.
The food is distributed to different organizations across the island, such as Resilience Montreal and the Old Brewery Mission.
“We think it’s our duty to do this,” Irene said. “Not just because there’s people in need. It’s our duty. If we’re able to help, then why not.”
Food costs are kept under $100, but the woman philanthropists have always made sure that the food is “not just scraps of food,” but something they themselves would prepare for their own families: delicious, enjoyable, and healthy, but low cost.
The Shathi sisters are planning to expand their services and provide more food on a weekly basis to anyone in need, regardless of their faith.
“And maybe we started with a soup kitchen, maybe we can do more things. More projects,” Rumana said.
Nafissah Rahman added that they hope the future generations can see the heart of their mission, and that it might inspire them to do the same.
Source: City News
