A food retail social entrepreneurship project allows women from economically-challenged backgrounds, widows, and victims of domestic abuse, are given opportunities to earn a respectable livelihood. Sodexo On-Site Services, a leading service provider of food and facilities management solutions, had ventured on a journey to fulfill its CSR obligations by entering into a partnership with the ECO (Enhancing Community Opportunities) Kitchen initiative.
crédit: Sodexo
This initiative also falls in line with Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow 2025 goals, which focuses on issues pertaining to gender equality, hunger, and malnutrition. As stated earlier, KATHIR offers innovative opportunities for disadvantaged urban women in Chennai affected by domestic violence, paving the way towards greater financial freedom. Training these women entrepreneurs in helping them set up their stalls and sell these meals is a critical facet.
“The role played by ECO Kitchen is to offer the necessary assistance at every stage—from sourcing the food, handling it hygienically, transportation assistance, procuring a kiosk to managing finances. Periodic sessions are conducted on various subject matters along with partners and networks. Sodexo offers support in the area of food handling,” says Chavda.
More than 150 women are benefitting from earning a steady income through their sheer will and effort. “With support from Sodexo, we have been able to support women who have suffered societal abuse, outstretching our hands for widows of HIV positives and likewise, women from the economically challenged backgrounds. This no-profit-no-loss partnership with Sodexo has driven hygiene awareness and given economic independence to the women.
Source: The Better India
