South Windsor High School Students Lead Diwali Food Drive For Pantries

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — South Windsor High School students organized a Diwali food drive that collected about 4,700 pounds of food for local pantries.

Much of the food was collected by students who stood outside grocery stores and asked shoppers to donate non-perishable items, according to Arnav Malpure, one of the students involved in the effort.

The food was donated to the South Windsor Food Pantry and other local organizations, including The Village for Families and Children and Wapping Community Church, the students said.

The food drive was part of Sewa Diwali, an annual effort held during Diwali, the festival of lights. The goal of the drive is to help families facing food insecurity during the holiday season. The effort is run by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, a nonprofit group run entirely by volunteers.

A donation event at the South Windsor Food Pantry was attended by local and state officials, including State Representative Tom Delnicki, South Windsor Mayor Audrey Delnicki, and State Senator Saud Anwar.

Food pantries often see higher demand during the fall and winter months. By working with several organizations, the drive was able to help families in South Windsor and nearby communities.

“Sewa Diwali continues to serve as an example of how community-driven volunteer efforts can make a meaningful difference for those in need,” Malpure wrote.