by Father Evangelo D'Souza for BISMumbai

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Pune adversely. Over 3500 cases with 180 deaths have been reported till 16 May. The MumbaiSalesians' managed Sacred Heart Parish in Yerwada-Pune, has till date reached out to the needy poor in its 20 zones.

With the aid of generous donors, the parish has adopted 17 families in need of daily commodities, on a perpetual basis. The parish Legion of Mary unit has reached out to 65 poor contract-worker families in regular partial need, and further to another 130 vulnerable families made up of house helps, watchmen, construction workers, and the like. The parish continues to support an overall 452 needy families, in these disastrous times.

With the aid of its parishioners and the local Yerwada police force, the parish also reaches out to those living in slums nearby. Provision kits, consumable over a week, worth Rs 850, has helped 43 slum-dwelling families till date.