“Akshaya Patra is lucky to have enthusiastic young supporters who are passionate about spreading awareness of the school meal program and helping 1.3 million children in India realize their dreams through education,” said Desh Deshpande, chairman of Akshaya Patra’s Board of Directors.

The Youth Ambassadors Program will support Akshaya Patra USA fundraising and awareness efforts and offers a unique opportunity for high school students to build leadership, networking, and public presentation skills while improving the lives of children in India. Youth Ambassadors will receive training in public speaking, outreach and donor engagement, and get tools, presentations and mentors to support them as they achieve their goal of raising $1,800 in donor pledges.

Graduating Ambassadors will be invited to attend a Graduation Summit with VIP guests, notable speakers, and community leaders and will have the option to go on a service trip to India.

Akshaya Patra runs one of the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programs and serves children in 10,600 schools across India. Akshaya Patra’s meals have contributed to increased enrollment, lower attrition rates, and better student health and academic performance in the schools it serves. Cost-effective technology in food preparation and partnerships with the state and federal governments of India, allow Akshaya Patra to support one child with meals for a year for just $15. Akshaya Patra USA provides vital funding and helps to create greater awareness of the organization’s work in India.

To learn more about Akshaya Patra and the Youth Ambassadors Program, please visit http://www.foodforeducation.org/youth-ambassadors-program. The deadline to apply to the program has been extended to July 31, 2014.