Akshaya Patra runs one of the world’s largest school meal programs.
AB Wire
NEW YORK: Satya Tiwari, President of Surya, Inc., has joined the 2015 Akshaya Patra USA Advisory Board.
In this role, Tiwari will continue his crucial work of spreading and growing awareness about the work of Akshaya Patra in Atlanta, Georgia area, and building on the organization’s expansion via new kitchens and the number of children served, according to a press release.
Akshaya Patra runs one of the world’s largest school meal programs, serving 1.4 million children daily in 10 states in India. It’s goal is to serve 5 million children by the year 2020.
Satya Tiwari currently serves as president of Surya, a leading source for coordinating rugs and home accessories across a diverse range of lifestyles and price points. Since joining Surya in 2004, Satya has been instrumental to the growth of the Surya brand, introducing multiple product categories – including pillows, throws, wall decor, lighting, accent furniture, decorative accents and bedding – while also expanding into the hospitality and outdoor segments. Under his leadership, the company has grown from $2.7 million in annual revenue in 2004 to $100 million in 2014, and has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for five consecutive years.
Of his decision to join the Akshaya Patra Advisory Board, Tiwari states, “When I learned about Akshaya Patra in 2012, I saw the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of impoverished children and their families living in rural India. Having grown up in a small village in Northeastern India, I had witnessed firsthand the health and educational challenges that, if not properly addressed, can lead to an ongoing cycle of poverty. My father was a teacher in a local village and had instilled in me early on the importance of education as a catalyst for social mobility. So, supporting Akshaya Patra and its school lunch program made a lot of sense. In early, 2012, Surya began making an annual financial contribution to the organization, giving thousands of children access to healthy lunchtime meals for an entire year. We also established the Miles for Meals Program, an annual half marathon and fundraising campaign to help generate additional funds.
“Being on the Akshaya Patra board is a great honor and something I take very seriously. My involvement will enable Surya to become more intimately involved in the organization’s mission, beyond just contributing financially. We hope to be able to more directly impact the lives of children and their families throughout rural India – in particular, in Surya’s large weaver community, where we employ more than 50,000 artisans. Hunger should never be a barrier to education and Akshaya Patra is removing that barrier, one meal at a time. I look forward to assuming this important role in a truly life-changing organization”.
Emily Rosenbaum, CEO of Akshaya Patra USA welcomed Tiwari, saying, in a statement, “Satya’s enthusiasm to build and serve the dreams of others – such as the government school children in India – through his support for Akshaya Patra is truly inspiring. We are so proud that he has chosen to be part of the Akshaya Patra movement to eliminate childhood hunger and promote universal education.”
Chairman of Akshaya Patra’s Board of Directors, Desh Deshpande added, “Satya Tiwari is someone who is making a difference locally, with his company Surya, and globally, by getting deeply involved in effective and scalable social impact causes such as Akshaya Patra and spreading that passion to others he touches.”
Akshaya Patra’s hot, fresh school meals have been linked to increased school enrollment, and improved health and academic performance for the disadvantaged children attending India’s government schools.
For every $15 donated, Akshaya Patra is able to feed a child for an entire academic year. For more information on Akshaya Patra, visit www.foodforeducation.org