On December 8, 2020, we welcomed the Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) from Principal Accountant General Office, Hyderabad, Mr S.V.V.S Prasad to our newest kitchen in Gambhiram, Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Prasad toured the kitchen facility, to get a first-hand look at the operations inside the mega-kitchen capable of cooking 30,000 meals a day. The Gambhiram facility serves midday meals to 179 schools in the area, serving over 14,000 beneficiaries every school day. During the lockdown, the kitchen facility was mobilized for Akshaya Patra’s COVID-19 Relief Efforts, which included cooked meals and dry ration kit distribution to vulnerable families.

On completion of the tour and a detailed review of the operations, Shri Prasad Ji graciously took a moment to share a few words of encouragement, “I personally found the activities taken up i.e. distribution of dry rations and Happiness Kits by the organization during the COIVD-19 pandemic are very helpful to school going children. Further, the organization is maintaining kitchen with utmost care following safety norms and providing nutritious food to children.” He signs off, “I wish the staff of the organization for their contribution in this great service to the needy children. I hope the organization will cover more districts in A.P in the coming years. All the best Akshaya Patra Foundation.”

We thank Shri Prasad Ji for his kind wishes and words of encouragement.

Thanks to the support of our generous donors and well-wishers, Akshaya Patra continues serving its beneficiary children through the Happiness Kits Initiative and supporting vulnerable families through COVID-19 Relief Efforts.

The service continues…

7.8 billion people are living on Earth, out of which there are over 690 million people who are affected by hunger. The ongoing crisis is estimated to push a further of 130 million people in this bracket by the end of 2020. The numbers are huge and this is why there is a need to get together to help people. The theme for this World Food Day is very apt, ‘Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. – Our Actions are Our Future.’

People all over the globe are facing a food crisis and there is an urgency to act for the betterment of people facing hardships of food. 16th October every year is celebrated as World Food Day. It is in our hands to make a difference in the lives of the needy people and make Zero Hunger possible.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an NGO that works primarily towards providing mid-day meals to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools of India. In this unprecedented COVID crisis, the Foundation is serving meals to the needy. As on 6th October 2020, a total of 9-crore meals was served to low-income and marginalised sections of society.

Ways to make a difference on #WorldFoodDay2020 with Akshaya Patra:

• Serve cooked meals to individuals
In the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akshaya Patra is serving hot and freshly-cooked meals to needy people hailing from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. So far, 5,19,56,876 cooked meals have been served.

• Support needy families with grocery kits
To help marginalised families, Akshaya Patra is distributing grocery kits that contain dry ration to help them sustain in this crisis hour. Each kit is filled with food items like rice, pulses, spices, oil and vegetables. As on 6th October 2020, 8,53,534 grocery kits have been served.

• Spread joy with happiness kits
To continue its service towards children, happiness kits are distributed to mid-day meal beneficiaries. Each happiness kit contains nutrition and immunity-rich food, hygiene items and educational supplies. So far, a total of 1,17,959 happiness kits have been distributed.

• Feed children and lactating mothers with Anganwadi kits
As a part of the Anganwadi Kits Programme, feed a nursing mother and her child with 2 kits that take care of their meals. Glucose biscuits, Horlicks and milk powder are provided along with spices and pulses.

Make this World Food Day meaningful by feeding the needy people. Amid this COVID-19 crisis, every donation provides the most basic necessity – food. Show your generosity by making online donations towards Akshaya Patra and helping low-income sections of the society survive.