Robin Hood Army

"Robin Hood Army" (RHA)

The Robin Hood Army is a volunteer-based, zero-funds organisation that aims to combat hunger and food waste. It was founded in India in 2014 by Neel Ghose and Anand Sinha and has since expanded its operations to several countries around the world.

The Robin Hood Army follows a unique model where they collect excess food from restaurants, hotels, and individuals and distribute it to those in need, particularly marginalised communities such as slums, orphanages, and homeless shelters. They have a hyper-local approach, with volunteers known as "Robins" operating at the community level to identify areas of need and coordinate food distribution efforts.

The organisation leverages technology and social media to mobilise volunteers and create awareness about food wastage and hunger-related issues. They have a strong presence on social media platforms and use these channels to engage with volunteers, share updates, and inspire others to join the cause.

The Robin Hood Army's model is based on the concept of "Robins taking from the rich and giving to the poor," drawing inspiration from the legendary outlaw Robin Hood. The organisation emphasises the importance of community participation and believes that anyone can contribute to the fight against hunger, irrespective of their background or resources.

Since its inception, the Robin Hood Army has expanded its operations to several countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Kenya. They have successfully mobilised thousands of volunteers and served millions of meals to those in need.

In addition to their core mission of food redistribution, the Robin Hood Army also undertakes initiatives to address other social issues such as education, hygiene, and healthcare. They organise educational drives, health camps, and awareness campaigns to create a positive impact on the lives of underserved communities.

The Robin Hood Army operates on the principle of collective goodwill and volunteerism, believing that small acts of kindness can lead to significant change. Their efforts are driven by their vision of a world without hunger, where everyone has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.

About :

The Robin Hood Army was founded by Neel Ghose, Aarushi Batra, and Anand Sinha. The food distributed to the needy is sourced from restaurants, which regularly provide surplus or freshly cooked food on a goodwill basis. The Robin Hood Army is still working in its war against hunger and plans to grow its presence worldwide in the next few years.

The website of Robin Hood's Army is developed and designed by The Optiverts, presided over by Manav Mishra.

The Robin Hood Army originated in New Delhi, India, and then eventually spread its operations to other Indian cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Panipat, Gurgaon, Pune, Dehradun, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat. On February 15, 2015, the Robin Hood Army commenced its activities in Karachi, Pakistan.

The organisation functions on and propagates the basic ideology of self-sustained communities across the city, i.e., each locality or community within the city will contribute towards providing food to the needy through its local volunteers and restaurants.

Approach and mission

Currently, the organisation has tied up with multiple restaurants across the 60 cities that provide them with food. The organisation does not accept monetary donations and only distributes the food or donations in kind that it receives from its restaurant partners and donors.

The Robin Hood Army, wearing green T-shirts, applies the following principles to further its cause:

1. Spread awareness of its activities through social media to promote the idea of self-sustaining communities.
2. Tie-ups and associations with restaurants to provide food in large Numbers to the homeless and less fortunate communities.
3. Introduce new volunteers on a regular basis to the system to create an impact among the less fortunate and, in the process, inspire a community to give time and help to those who need it most.

Mission:

The mission of the Robin Hood Army is to eliminate hunger and food waste by redistributing surplus food from restaurants, cafes, and individuals to those in need. They aim to create a volunteer-driven, decentralised network that operates on a hyper-local level, addressing the issue of food scarcity and malnutrition in communities across the world.

Vision:

The Robin Hood Army envisions a world where no one sleeps hungry and every individual has access to nutritious food. They strive to build a society that is compassionate and empathetic, where communities come together to support each other and address the challenges of hunger and food insecurity.

Their vision extends beyond immediate hunger relief. The Robin Hood Army also aims to create awareness about food waste and the importance of sustainable practises. They seek to foster a culture of responsible consumption, encouraging individuals, businesses, and institutions to minimise

What Is The Robin Hood Army?

The Robin Hood Army is a zero-funds volunteer organisation that works to get surplus food from restaurants and communities to serve the less fortunate.

Our "Robins" are largely students and young working professionals; everyone does this in their free time. The less fortunate sections of society we serve include homeless families, orphanages, patients from public hospitals, and old-age homes.

How Did This Start?

Modelled on the Re-Food programme in Portugal, the Robin Hood Army started on the streets of Delhi, India, in August 2014.

What About Funding?

We have just one rule: we are a zero-funds organisation. The Robin Hood Army has no revenue, employees, or office space; if you want to help, all we need is your time. By the way, our balance sheet from last year:

How does RHA Grow Without Money?

Simple: We are in the business of spreading smiles. We share our experiences on social media. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are our tools to grow. Along the way, our extremely passionate Robins and kind members of the press community have helped drive our mission around the world.

How Can I Help Through RHA?

Easy: we need just 3 hours of your week on a regular basis. You can join our team of Robins or contribute food in your city; you’ll find everything you need to know.

Does RHA Provide certificates To Volunteers?

We want our team to serve less fortunate people, not build their own polished resumes. CitizensFirst, MissionNext, and Robin's Last

Does the RHA Have Any rules?

Three specifically: we do not collect money, we are a-political, and we serve all religions. If anyone claims to be one of those using the name RHA, please drop us a note here.

Also irritating is the legal disclaimer that RHA is a zero-funds platform with no employees, office space, or insurance and hence cannot assume liability. Any personal risk is borne by our Robins individually.