Nourishing with Dignity: AJ Foundation Food Supply Project
Why food support matters here
In the steep hamlets of District Bagh, incomes rise and fall with the seasons. A single landslide can cut off markets for weeks, and many families stretch tea and flatbread to cover meals. Children’s learning suffers, elders skip medicine on an empty stomach, and mothers sacrifice their portions to feed the young. Reliable access to nutritious, halal food is the foundation that lets everything else—health, schooling, livelihoods—stand firm.
How the programme works
- Fair targeting & registration — Village committees and our field team identify households most at risk: widows, orphans, people with disabilities, and day‑wage families.
- Local procurement — We buy staples from nearby mills and grocers to support the valley economy and keep transport costs down.
- Nutritional standards — Hampers are balanced for energy, protein, and micronutrients, with options for diabetes and infant needs.
- Dignified distribution — Families collect discreetly at community points; home delivery is arranged for elders and those with limited mobility.
- Seasonal surges — Extra rounds run in winter, during Ramadan, and after disasters; Qurbani meat is distributed fresh and fairly at Eid.
- Monitoring & feedback — Simple cards track household size and delivery dates; feedback circles ensure the right items reach the right people.
What we provide
- Family Food Hampers: wheat flour or rice, pulses/lentils, cooking oil, tea, sugar, salt, dates (seasonal), and spices.
- Nutrition Boosters: chickpeas, fortified wheat, milk powder, and baby cereal where needed.
- Fresh Add‑ons (when available): vegetables from kitchen‑garden partners and Qurbani meat at Eid.
Impact so far
- Twelve remote villages regularly covered, with priority to the most isolated clusters.
- Improved school attendance and concentration reported when breakfast staples are on hand.
- Fewer negative coping strategies (skipping meals, high‑interest borrowing) during lean months.
- Stronger community ties as neighbours help pack and deliver for those who cannot travel.
What’s next
- Kitchen‑Garden Starter Kits — seeds, tools, and training to complement food parcels with homegrown vegetables.
- Community Grain Bank — a revolving stock that buffers price spikes and road closures.
- Choice Vouchers (pilot) — let families select what they need from partner shops while keeping oversight and fairness.
How you can help
- Contribute staple items through local partners (flour, pulses, oil, tea, sugar).
- Pledge monthly support so families know the next hamper is guaranteed.
- Volunteer on packing days or help with last‑mile delivery to hard‑to‑reach homes.
- Partner as a retailer or mill to offer bulk rates or in‑kind contributions.
“He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbour goes hungry.” — Hadith
Together we can keep pots simmering and hope rising—one family hamper at a time.