Members host first annual Hunger Mitao Week to engage community to donate food and funds.

With the conclusion of an exciting Hunger Mitao Week during August 11-19, the North Texas Food Bank’s Indian American Council (NTFB-IAC) has now raised enough food and funds to provide more than 2 million meals for hungry children, seniors and families across North Texas. Since its inception in September 2017, the NTFB-IAC has created an amazing momentum within the Indian American community. Their grassroots effort has raised awareness about the issue of hunger in North Texas — inspiring hundreds of people to do hands-on volunteering at NTFB, host countless food drives, all the while raising critical funds for the Food Bank. Co-founders of the NTFB-IAC, Raj and Aradhana (Anna) Asava were moved by the community support as the NTFB-IAC crossed the 2 million meal mark on India’s Independence Day, August 15.

“When NTFB-IAC was formed, our goal was to raise 1 million meals within the first year and we thought that was a stretch goal. It is amazing that we were able to more than double our goal in less than one year. The power of the community is awesome. It’s like waking up a sleeping giant! As other communities follow this lead, hunger in North Texas could soon be a thing of the past,” shared Raj G. Asava, Co-founder of the NTFB-IAC.

The IAC has been a unifier across the Indian American community. Working with trade associations, regional organizations, faith-based groups, businesses and individuals, the IAC has been able to spread hunger awareness across the Indian American community in North Texas. The Hunger Mitao radio show, social media communication, and coverage by the mainstream media has further enabled them to spread their reach. At the Food Bank, the Indian American community is increasingly being recognized as a leading community in the fight against hunger.

“Our slogan, “Hunger Mitao” which means Wipe-out Hunger, is so appropriate! We met each of our 1 million meal milestones with passion and zest, through teamwork and amazing leadership. The next phase for NTFB-IAC will be building on this momentum, as we engage our next generation in the fight against hunger.” said Dr. Varsha Shah, member of IAC’s Steering Committee.

The IAC continues to raise awareness, promote engagement and channel resources and contributions from the Indian American community towards the Food Bank’s mission.

“When the NTFB-IAC announced the Million Meal March, we knew it was an ambitious goal. But in just six months, they met their 1 million meal goal and have already surpassed a second million.” said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “We are on the path to closing the hunger gap in North Texas because of the support of the Indian American community.”

This summer, hundreds of Indian American community members volunteered thousands of hours at the North Texas Food Bank’s prior Southern Distribution Center. The grand opening of the Northern Distribution Center, the Perot Family Campus, set for September 16, will enable the NTFB-IAC to significantly increase community engagement.

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization, serving 13 counties. The Food Bank’s administrative headquarters is located in the Dallas Farmers Market, and its new distribution and volunteer center – the Perot Family Campus – is set to open in Collin County in September of 2018. Each day, NTFB provides access to more than 190,000 meals for hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and more than 200 Partner Agencies. In fiscal year 2018, NTFB provided access to almost 72 million nutritious meals. While the NTFB is making steady progress toward closing the hunger gap, much work remains to be done to reach the organization’s 10- year goal of providing 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025. www.ntfb.org.
NTFB is a member of Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization.

The Indian American Council for the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB-IAC) was formed to raise awareness and community involvement, as well as channel the resources and contributions of the Indian American community towards the mission of NTFB of a hunger-free community. To learn more about IAC or join the fight against hunger.