NGO in Ahmedabad Feeding Mid-day Meals to Over 1 Lakh Children

The Akshaya Patra Foundation has been operating as a NGO in Ahmedabad since July 2014. It is the third serving of the foundation in Gujarat, the other two being Vadodara (November 2009) and Surat (June 2012). In total the Foundation’s reach in Gujarat is 400, 158 beneficiaries across 1,653 government schools. Gujarat has the second highest beneficiary base after Karnataka. The other states where Akshaya Patra provides mid-day meal are: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Thus the NGO covers 10 states of India and provides mid-day meals to 1,429, 878 children studying in 10,845 government schools.

All the three kitchens in Gujarat follow the centralised kitchen format. The kitchens are equipped with roti making machines having capacity to cook up to 40,000 rotis per hour. The Akshaya Patra Foundation has charted out the mid-day meal menu for each location keeping in mind the local palate of the region so that children can enjoy their meal. Hence, the meal menu of this NGO in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat comprises of roti, rice, khichdi (a preparation of lentils and rice), dal (lentil curry) and vegetable preparations. The beneficiaries of this meal come from very humble backgrounds. These beneficiaries are aware of the hardships yet they are ready to overcome all hurdles and achieve their ambitions. The ambitions of these children may be influenced by their current socio-economic status but it is certainly not bound by it and thus these beneficiaries are all determined to achieve what they have aspired for. Here are few stories of hope from Gujarat.

Witnessing the positive impact that the Mid-Day Meal Programme has had over the years, Akshaya Patra has opened an avenue of choices for supporters to get involved with the cause. Contributing charity online is one among the many volunteering and supporting means and it is also one of the fastest ways to contribute towards the Foundation’s cause. Even a small amount of Rs. 750 can prove to be significant because this amount can feed mid-day meal to one child for one whole year. It has all been possible due to strategic planning and programme management of the Foundation. Thus a donation to charity of Rs. 750 has the potential to transform the life of at least one child. This charity will not only provide food but also the energy to concentrate in class and co-curricular activities. The organization also provides 100% tax exemption for all those who donate Rs. 500 and more.

Recently this NGO in Ahmedabad also inaugurated its first Food Safety and Quality Control Laboratory. The aim of this laboratory is to further enhance quality and safety of the meal right from pre-procurement stage to consumption stage. The laboratory is fitted with state-of-the-art and high-precision testing instruments. As the NGO is undertaking various initiatives to improve the programme, it also invites you to partake in it. Make a donation to charity online and provide a plate full of nutritious meal to the budding citizens of the country.