Hindu Community Donates 42,000 lbs of Food and Funds Across Fairfield County Through SewaDiwali 2025

Wilton, CT — The Hindu community of Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, and Stamford marked this year’s Diwali season with a major regional service initiative, donating a combined 42,000 lbs of food and funds to local hunger-relief organizations as part of the annual SewaDiwali campaign. The contributions were made during three donation events held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, across Norwalk and Stamford.

SewaDiwali, a nationwide volunteer-driven movement rooted in the Dharmic principle of sewa (selfless service), mobilizes communities to support families facing food insecurity during the Festival of Lights. This year’s Fairfield County effort brought together families, students, civic partners, and corporate supporters—including DXT Commodities of Stamford, CT.

Elected Officials Join Norwalk Donation Event

The first donation event took place at the Norwalk Police Department, where volunteers delivered 2,000 lbs of food and $9,000 in funds to Person-to-Person. Several elected officials attended the event, underscoring the significance of the community-driven initiative:

• Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff
• Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling
• State Representative Savet Constantine
• Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh
• CEO of Person2Person Nancy Coughlin

Officials praised the collaborative effort and the role of local youth groups in strengthening community participation during the holiday season.

Support for Mothers and Infants at Malta House

Volunteers next visited Malta House in Norwalk, donating $9,000 in funds. Leslie Lopez (Chief of Advancement) from Malta House said the contribution would directly support mothers and infants who rely on the organization for housing, resources, and counseling services.

Major Delivery to Stamford Food Bank

The final event of the day took place at the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County in Stamford, where the community delivered 11,000 lbs of food and $11,000 in funds. Food bank officials Duncan Lawson (Executive Director) and Carolina Mendez (Assistant Executive Director) noted that the donation would help stock multiple partner pantries and shelters throughout the region, especially as demand continues to rise ahead of the winter months.

Youth-Led Community Engagement

Local youth volunteers, including Key Club members and students from several area schools, played a crucial role in organizing food drives, sorting donations, and assisting with distribution logistics. Organizers said the emphasis on involving young people helps reinforce the cultural value of service during Diwali.

Statewide and National Momentum

The Fairfield County contribution forms part of a broader Connecticut SewaDiwali campaign that collected more than 83,000 lbs of food and funds statewide. Nationally, SewaDiwali continues to expand, bringing together Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities alongside schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations to address hunger through grassroots service.

Corporate support from partners such as DXT Commodities (Stamford, CT) further strengthened this year’s outreach efforts.

Background on SewaDiwali

Founded in 2018, SewaDiwali has grown into a national movement encouraging communities to give back during Diwali by supporting local families in need. Organizers emphasize that the initiative reflects a core Dharmic principle—“Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity.”