Indian American community movement honors volunteers for helping needy families.
HungerMitao (End Hunger), a volunteer driven movement created to mobilize Indian American community to fight hunger in the US, has helped distribute more than four million meals to New York City’s low-income families.
To celebrate the landmark event, Food Bank For New York City’s HungerMitao organized an “Evening of Gratitude and Awards” last week, according to a media release.
Community leaders and volunteers were joined by India’s Consul General in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, Bollywood star Omi Vaidya, and Virtual Arts for Humanity for a night of celebration and advocacy.
The awardees were honored for their commitment and efforts through HungerMitao to end hunger in New York.
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Aaliya Malhotra and Ria Laddha were celebrated as Young Changemakers and Rakesh Bhargava for being a true Ambassador.
The HungerMitao Spirit of the Community Award across the Feeding America network went to Indiaspora.
Food Bank’s HungerMitao was created to mobilize New York’s Indian American community around its mission to end hunger, from raising awareness to providing meals for those in need.
“We are grateful to everyone who has joined us in the fight against hunger – from community leaders to the volunteers honored by HungerMitao,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City.
“HungerMitao has brought the Indian American community together around this important issue and helped millions of New Yorkers put food on the table. As our city continues to struggle amidst Covid-19, our communities must unite to help those in need.”
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With the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic putting many people out of work and rapidly increasing the need for assistance, the demand on the emergency food network has surged, the release said.
Food Bank For New York City reports that the vast majority of soup kitchens and food pantries have been serving more New Yorkers during the pandemic than they were previously: many agencies have seen their number of visitors double.
Even before Covid-19, the demand for food was already high: nearly 1.1 million New Yorkers were already food insecure, it said.
Thanking the attendees for making the event a “grand success”, Raj G. Asava, community volunteer and co-founder HungerMitao, hoped it brought about a good understanding of the movement.
“It was heartwarming to see young leaders like Aaliya and Ria emerge,” he said. “Rakesh Bhargava demonstrated how private citizens can effectively act as conduits and influence policy change in addition to personal giving.”
“And Indiaspora showcased how a campaign of collective giving can have a multiplier effect!” Asava said adding, “These stories will continue to fuel us.”
Launched three years ago, HungerMitao focuses on raising awareness about hunger in the USA, improving community engagement, as well as channeling resources and contributions of the Indian American community to fight hunger through the Feeding America network of food banks.
Since 1983, Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs.