Sewa Diwali food drives and Thanksgiving both embrace gratitude and giving to those in need
Sewa Diwali is a nationwide effort by local volunteer and partners to collect and donate food items to local food pantries since 2018.
In 2023, Sewa Diwali successfully collected and donated over 502,000 pounds of food, benefiting 245 organizations in 34 states across the United States. These organizations included food pantries, homeless shelters, schools, and community centers. Since its inception in 2018, Sewa Diwali has distributed more than 2 million pounds of food to those in need.
Food drives are vital for communities as they address hunger and food insecurity, providing essential resources to those in need. They encourage collective responsibility and solidarity, allowing individuals and groups to contribute to a shared cause. Food drives also raise awareness about the challenges faced by marginalized populations, fostering empathy and community involvement.
By organizing drives, people can ensure that local food banks, shelters, and families in need receive support. Such initiatives strengthen social bonds, promote kindness, and help create a more resilient community where everyone can thrive, particularly during challenging times like holidays.
This year’s efforts involved participation from diverse groups, such as Hindu, Jain, and Sikh temples, Indian American cultural organizations, and thousands of individuals. The initiative emphasizes selfless service (Sewa) and community collaboration during the festival of Diwali. Volunteering with Sewa Diwali gives children and families the opportunity to contribute meaningfully while learning life lessons that resonate beyond the festive season.
The connection between Sewa Diwali and Thanksgiving lies in their shared emphasis on community service, gratitude, and giving back to those in need. While Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated by Dharmic communities with themes of generosity and selfless service (Sewa), Thanksgiving in the U.S. centers around gratitude and sharing abundance.
Combining these traditions, Sewa Diwali extends the spirit of giving to align with the Thanksgiving season. The Sewa Diwali food drive typically spans October through November, culminating near Thanksgiving.
Sewa Diwali promotes the concept of “Sewa” (selfless service) rooted in Dharmic traditions. Thanksgiving promotes gratitude and communal support, aligning with Sewa Diwali’s charitable mission.
For Sewa Diwali 2024 in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, and Carpentersville, kids in kindergarten to high school organized food collection in neighborhoods and at grocery stores with Sewa Diwali posters and flyers. Starting in October, adults and kids have arranged to setup food collection boxes at temples, grocery stores and in neighborhoods, standing outside grocery stores to encourage visiting customers to donate food, and going door to doors in neighborhood to promote Sewa Diwali spirit.
As a result, Sewa Diwali volunteers in Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates area donated 6,000-plus pounds of food to the township food pantries in Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Carpentersville.
Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod are always supportive of the Sewa Diwali cause and encourage volunteers with recognitions and proclamations since Sewa Diwali started in 2018.
A special thanks to Schaumburg Police Deputy Chief Joe Dugan, state Rep. Michelle Mussman and Schaumburg Township for all help and support to keep Sewa Diwali mission alive in local communities from many years.
Volunteering with initiatives like Sewa Diwali offers valuable learning experiences for both adults and children, fostering personal growth, community involvement, and cultural values. For more information and to start the “service to humanity is service to divinity” effort to help local food pantries in your area, visit sewadiwali.org.