The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an NGO in India that not only provides mid-day meals to school children but also provides cooked meals and essential kits during the Corona pandemic. As a part of its COVID-19 relief services, it has served a total of 5 crore meals to lower-income sections of the society. With your donations towards Akshaya Patra, you help your fellow citizens during the Lockdown period.

Good nutrition, adequate and balance diet is the epitome of good health. These are the founding stones of a strong and healthy immune system. Boosting immunity during this hour of COVID-19 pandemic is what reaps bountiful benefits.

Millions of people around the world are abiding to the ‘social distancing’ and ‘staying safe at home’ norms laid down by the Government of India during the lockdown. Due to the increasing number of people being tested positive for COVID-19, the lockdown that aims to reduce the rapid spread of the disease, seems very far from being lifted. There are millions of people who are unable to go back to their homeland and are stuck at various places. Along with these people, there are others who are not able to access basic resources that are essential for survival; as they rely on daily wages.

The pandemic threatens the ‘at-risk’ population including children, new-borns and the elderly as well. With no catering services to feed them and schools not functioning during the pandemic, they do not get the adequate amount of food that they would otherwise have access to. To help them fight the threat of hunger lurking during the pandemic, many Non-Government Organisations have come forward to provide support. As per The Economic Times, according to the World Food Programme analysis, 130 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of 2020, due to COVID-19.

Going by those number, hunger would kill more number of people than COVID-19. The Akshaya Patra Foundation stepped in to address this problem and started its COVID-19 relief services on 25th March 2020. Working in close coordination with Government of India, State Governments & District Administration, along with receiving ample support in the form of COVID-19 donations from individual donors, corporate donors and the help of thousands of volunteers, it provides food relief to the needy people. It feeds the marginalised and low-income sections of the society that comprises of daily wage workers, construction site workers, migrant labourers and needy people at old age homes and night shelters. The Foundation is serving cooked meals and distributing dry essential kits to the needy on a daily basis during the lockdown period. Till date, Akshaya Patra has served a cumulative of 5 crore meals in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tripura, West Bengal and Punjab.

This World Hunger Day, be a part of Akshaya Patra’s COVID-19 Relief Services. Donate to feed the marginalized sections of the society.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-profit organisation that has continuously worked towards providing mid-day meals to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools. It serves 1.8 million children across 52 locations spread in 12 States and 2 Union Territories. Donate and make a difference into the lives of people who really need your support. Be it in times of crisis or during regular days, your contribution goes a long way.

As we grew up from being little, mischievous children to mature, decision-making adults, there was a realisation that set in. Every step we take is always towards making progress. This applies to individuals, businesses, organizations and every being that strives to achieve. This is the story of Akshaya Patra as well. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-profit organization that works towards providing unlimited food for education to children studying in Government schools and Government-aided schools.

Each school day, Akshaya Patra beneficiaries receive locally palatable school meals. For example, while children of Rajasthan enjoy their state-specific menu items during lunch, children of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha or any other state are served with lunch that suits their local taste buds. However, utmost care is taken to ensure all children receive the recommended dietary nutrients every single day.

Akshaya Patra’s reach across India:
• 18,00,907 children
• 19,039 schools
• 52 locations
• 12 States & 2 Union Territories

Akshaya Patra has been working relentlessly towards providing school meals to school children on a daily basis since 2000. While making progresses to nourish more and more children with wholesome mid-day meals, Akshaya Patra also focusses on Anganwadi Feeding Programme, Breakfast Programme, and Meal Plate Distribution Programme.

Below is an overview of Akshaya Patra’s work during the fiscal 2019-2020:

New kitchens:
With the objective to benefit more children with Mid-Day Meal Programme, Akshaya Patra started new kitchens in 10 locations:

Disaster relief service:
Akshaya Patra proactively responded to several natural disasters and crisis by providing food to the needy and affected people. In 2019-2020, Akshaya Patra stepped up during:
• Odisha Cyclone Relief (15 May 2019 to 6 June 2019): It served a total of 1 lakh meals in cyclone-hit areas of Brahmagiri, Satar, Kanas, Gok, and Satyabadi
• Assam Flood Relief (17 July 2019 to 3 August 2019): It served a total of 52,880 meals in Athgaon area of Kamrup District.
• North Karnataka Flood Relief (6 August 2019 to 17 August 2019): It served a total of 2,19,736 meals in Dharwad region.
• COVID-19 Relief Service (25th March 2020 till present day): It served 33,52,911 meals and 1,64,066 dry grocery kits across Rajasthan, Gujarat, NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh as on 7th April 2020.

Achievements:
• The Akshaya Patra Foundation was honoured with the Outlook Poshan Special Jury Award in 2019 for its valuable contribution in the Urban Nutrition (Institution) category.
• Akshaya Patra won the BBC World Service Global Food Champion Award 2019, which is an annual award that honours people or causes that help societies and inspires lives.
• The Mahatma Award for Social Good was conferred on The Akshaya Patra Foundation for its impact on society by implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme.
• Akshaya Patra’s Thane kitchen received the CII Award for strong commitment to food safety in the category of ‘Small & Medium Food Service – Catering.
• The Jury of CII recommended the recognition level of Trophy for Outstanding Performance in Food Safety to Akshaya Patra’s Bhavnagar Kitchen.
• The Indian Chamber of Commerce – Social Impact Awards 2020 was honoured to The Akshaya Patra Foundation for ‘Promoting Education in Large Project Category.’
• Akshaya Patra was honoured with Rotary Karnataka CSR Awards 2020 in the category of CSR Excellence in Basic Education and Literacy.
• Akshaya Patra Won Gold at League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) vision Awards.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation has diligently worked towards serving the Nation and its citizens. There are many tasks that are still in line for making the future better. You can also contribute towards the role of NGO and reach out to fellow citizens and children of the nation.

Akshaya Patra has left no stone unturned to nourish children on each school day and provide food relief to the needy during crisis hours.
Your contribution will definitely ensure a better and brighter future.