ranchi the archdiocese of ranchi under the roman catholic church on wednesday began distribution of nutrition packets to over 300 patients admitted to the covid ward at the staterun rajendra institute of medical sciences rims the food packets include fruit biscuits fresh juice beaten rice jaggery and mineral waterthe churchs new effort is in addition to the 800 cooked food packets that the archdiocese of ranchi in association with ranchi catholic youth has been distributing amongst the relatives of patients hospitalised at rims since may 4ranchi archbishop felix toppo and auxiliary bishop theodore mascarenhas blessed the first 300 packets distributed among the patients toppo praying over the packets thanked god for keeping them healthy so that they could serve the sick and the needyevery day church officials seminarians and volunteers of ranchi catholic youth will take 300 food packets to rims and hand over them to the warden who will in turn distribute these among the patients we will not undertake any direct distribution to patients to comply with covid norms mascarenhas saidhe added that the ranchi archdiocese is drawing up plans to distribute similar food and nutrition packets at other hospitals in the state he emphasised that the church has been able to serve the poor as many religious congregations and benefactors belonging both to the catholic church as well as followers of other religions have been generously donating to the causewe will soon launch another programme to distribute dry ration rice pulses potatoes cooking oil salt spices and onions among the needy and impoverished in sufficient quantities that would last at least two weeks for a family mascarenhas said