Robin Hood Army launches #Mission100k with Uber and ScoopWhoop

The campaign aims to mobilise students across India and Pakistan to rally together and serve food to less fortunate people on both sides of the border.

Food wastage is a common sight in homes and even in restaurants, while hunger is a crisis that has almost a billion people in its grip. Hunger is more than missing a meal. Keeping this thought in mind, Robin Hood Army, an NGO set up in August 2014, that works to get surplus food from restaurants across to the less fortunate people in cities across Pakistan and India, has launched #Mission100k, a joint initiative with Uber and ScoopWhoop. #Mission100k will take place between August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, and August 15, India's Independence Day. The objective of the campaign is to mobilise students across India and Pakistan who will rally together for a common cause and to serve 100,000 less-fortunate people on both sides of the border.

Uber, an online cab booking platform, shall help out with logistical support across Indian cities, while ScoopWhoop will push the movement to the student masses. Also, the Robin Hood Army has put up do-it-yourself (DIY) kits on its website, which contains all the information that the volunteers may need to get started. Aptly titled 'Restaurant Deck', 'Getting Started Guide' and 'Distribution 101', the kits guide one on how to pitch to the restaurants, guidelines for the new joinees and how to coordinate a Robin Hood Army (RHA) drive with friends. Members of all three organisations will also join the students in this mega drive. Students are being encouraged to share their experiences on social media with the hashtag -#Mission100k.

The campaign has garnered attention on Facebook and Twitter. To put it in perspective, about 508 posts with the hashtag #Mission100k across social media between August 9 and August 11 have been shared. . The Robin Hood Army team, comprising 100+ members, has been creating self-sustained communities for food procurement and distribution. Also, the following colleges across India and Pakistan have volunteered to take up#Mission100k - SRCC (Delhi), St. Xavier's (Kolkata and Mumbai), ISB (Hyderabad), PEC (Chandigarh), Christ University (Bengaluru), St. Stephens (Delhi), IIM (Calcutta), along with LUMS (Lahore), IBA (Karachi) and Ziauddin Medical College (Karachi).

Commenting on the initiative, Neel Ghose, founder, Robin Hood Army, says, "We wanted to do something unique which would inspire students to give back to the community. Luckily, the folks from Uber and ScoopWhoop found the idea exciting, and we have managed to carve out an impactful partnership."

"We are very excited to launch #Mission100k and hope to create widespread impact amongst the student community," adds Sriparna Tikekar, co-founder, ScoopWhoop.

"Uber is excited to partner with Robin Hood Army this Independence Day, by doing our little part to ensure #Mission100k is a great success. Food wastage is a serious concern in India, and we are confident this bespoke initiative will make a difference," says Karun Arya, communications lead, South Asia and India, Uber.

"As the youth of Pakistan and India, we believe the biggest act of freedom is serving your own countrymen, especially those who need it most. The aim is to guide students, who are the future of the country, to actively bridge these inequalities," say Sarah Afridi and Sarfaraz Abid, who set up the RHA in Pakistan.

"Our students are chalking out plans to play their part in this unique cross-border movement. We believe this whole exercise will provide fantastic exposure to the younger generation," says Priyanka Joshi, assistant professor, Shri Ram College of Commerce.