Banbury couple marks seventh wedding anniversary by donating food packs to vulnerable in community

Some of the essential food items purchased by Prabhu Natarajan, which he then delivered to nearly 30 families around Banbury on his seventh anniversary.

Prabhu and his wife Shilpa Natarajan spent most of their Saturday giving to others in need during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown. Saturday November 14 also marked the seventh wedding anniversary for Prabhu and Shilpa Natarajan. They have a son, Advaith Prabhu (Addhu), who is five years old.

Prabhu said: "On Saturday I went to Farmfoods and Aldi, and I bought many of the essential items like eggs, milk and soup."

He took on some strange looks from fellow shoppers on Saturday while he bought a dozen or more of the 'essential' food items.

Prabhu and Shilpa Natarajan and their five-year-old son, Advaith Prabhu (Addhu).

He said: "I am not a panic buyer. I told them 'this is for a good cause.' I told them (the stores) 'I am doing this for charity. It's not for my family.'"

Prabhue posted a message on Facebook, which said: "During this period of lockdown when many of us are struggling to find a source of income and few are isolating, we would like to help the needy by giving few a daily essentials as a token of love on our 7th wedding anniversary. Shilpa Balachandran....

"I have packed 15 packets, each packet containing apple juice, tomato cream soup tin, instant noodles, milk, white bread and 15 eggs. If you know anyone pls message me. I can go and deliver adhered to social distancing."

Prabhu used the food to make food packs, which he personally delivered throughout most of the day finishing his last delivery around 8.30pm Saturday. He then delivered a few of the food packets the following day, Sunday November 15. By the end of the weekend Prabhu had delivered nearly 30 food packets.

But this morning, Monday November 16, he found nearly 300 messages from people asking for help had arrived in-box on Facebook messenger.

Prabhu said: "Lots of people are really having a tough time. I wanted to do something good for the community.

"A few people in isolation offered me money, but I told them I didn't want any money.

"I never thought there were this many people struggling. I thought the food I bought would have to go back to the Banbury fridge.

"All people should join hands and do something for the community."

Prabhu is already planning another way he can help people in need in the community to coincide with his son's sixth birthday in January 2021.