(All photos): AIKYA and Akshaya Patra volunteers from colleges and high schools at work. (Akshaya Patra volunteers photos)

In a crisis, we change our behaviors and adapt to the new circumstances for the greater good of society. With the global Covid crisis, we must stand behind our caregivers – from medical professionals to our circle of family and friends. We must also extend our compassion and care to all mankind, especially those less fortunate and experiencing extreme hardship during this time.

COVID-19 Disaster Relief:




(Above): Akshaya Patra is  feeding people in 11 Indian states – Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and Dadra, Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, AP, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. (Akshaya Patra USA video)

Our experience in food preparation and distribution, with 55 kitchens nationally, has allowed us to quickly address the food crisis made worse because of the pandemic. Since the national lockdown on March 24th, Akshaya Patra has served over 5 million free meals to marginalized communities, primarily migrant and wage workers. Along with cooked meals, Akshaya Patra has distributed 7,000 food kits – essential grocery boxes that can feed 1 person for 21 days – We are currently operating in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, but are quickly working to include more states and more meals for those hit hardest by COVID-19.

The cost per food box that feeds two people for 21 days is $25.00.

The Akshaya Patra Virtual Gala

In the US, Akshaya Patra planned and executed 40 benefit events in 2019. With the possibility of not being able to have live events, changing course by planning out the technology, the logistics and using the tremendous opportunity to rally the community together, the organization has finalized a virtual gala, open to anyone on the globe.

The Virtual Gala scheduled for May 3rd at 5.30 pm EST is unprecedented and unheard of and hosted by Akshaya Patra’s Boston Chapter team and donors. The gala features two keynote speakers. Prof. Ashish Jha (Prof. at Harvard Chan School of Public Health) is much sought after in the media as an expert on COVID-19 and Prof. Kash Rangan, who also teaches at HBS, and is fully familiar with Akshaya Patra. Akshaya Patra is fortunate to have speakers whose views are very relevant to the current situation.

The CEO of the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Vandana Tilak said, “as everything on the Planet is going through a metamorphosis, we ourselves need to change how we view things and operate under the new conditions, without giving up our commitment to share what we have with those less fortunate. Our children need to be fed and our fundraising will not stop”

For more information: www.foodforeducation.org

To register for the virtual gala, please email to contact@apusa.org.