Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Abhimanyu shakha (chapter) collects nearly 4,000 pounds for Friendly House, Worcester

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Abhimanyu shakha (chapter) collects nearly 4,000 pounds for Friendly House, Worcester.

Embodying the spirit of "Sewa" or selfless service, the Abhimanyu Shakha chapter of the Hindu Swyamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) successfully concluded its annual SewaDiwali food donation drive, collecting nearly 4,000 pounds of non-perishable food and essential supplies for local families in need. The massive haul was delivered to Friendly House in Worcester, marking the seventh consecutive year the HSS chapter has partnered with the organization.

The SewaDiwali initiative, a nationwide food drive focuses on translating the message of hope and light into tangible action by fighting local food insecurity.

Coordinated Outreach Fuels Success

The remarkable achievement was made possible by the efforts of all the Karyakartas (volunteers), from Abhimanyu Shakha, whose proactive and strategic outreach was instrumental in broadening the drive's impact. All the Karyakartas, worked tirelessly throughout October and November to coordinate collection efforts and mobilize broad support.

The Karyakartas focused on extending their reach beyond traditional community circles, contacting major retailers like Walmart, Wegman’s, Stop and Shop, and Market Basket in local areas. This groundwork successfully attracted key organizational partners, five of whom emerged as primary participants in the drive: Commonwealth Financial Network in Waltham; Reliant Medical Group, Precise Dental Care, Patel Brothers, and Trader Joe’s (all in Shrewsbury). HSS was also supported by Sewa Boston chapter of Sewa USA.

Community and Youth Step Up

Beyond corporate support, the effort saw remarkable engagement at the neighborhood level. Families across communities, including Shrewsbury Hunt, Shrewsbury Commons, and other town wide communities, and Amrit Sabha – senior center in Northboro, filled collection boxes with staple items like rice, lentils, canned goods, and cooking oil, alongside essential non-food supplies such as baby formula, diapers, and tissue paper.

Crucially, the drive served as a lesson in service for the next generation. The youth - Kishores (teens) and Balas (school-aged children), stepped up in full force, assisting with everything from spreading the message to the challenging logistics of sorting, packing, loading, and unloading the donated goods. For these young volunteers, what began as a routine task became a powerful lesson in teamwork and selfless contribution.

Gratitude to All Involved

The collective effort culminated in the donation of nearly 4,000 pounds of supplies to Friendly House in Worcester. Abhimanyu Shakha worked with Executive Director, Trish Appert, and Director of Development, Jodi Briggs-Pickett from Friendly House on setting up the donation handover at the Worcester location. Trish and Jodi briefed the Balas and the Karyakartas about the program and how it helps hundreds of families every week.

Friendly House is a non-profit multi-service settlement house in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 1920 to support under-served families and neighborhoods. Its mission is to provide a continuum of services including social services, food security, emergency and transitional housing, and youth programs, with a focus on holistic family and community development.

Nationwide Effort of Giving

These contributions were part of a larger statewide SewaDiwali effort, which resulted in over 22,000 lbs of food and cash donations collected across Greater Boston (MA and NH). The national initiative brought together Dharmic communities—including Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist organizations—along with schools, civic groups, individuals, and corporate partners all committed to addressing food insecurity during the Festival of Lights.

About SewaDiwali

Launched in 2018, SewaDiwali is rooted in the Dharmic ethos of Sewa—selfless service—and the belief that “Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity.” Each year, the initiative mobilizes thousands of volunteers nationwide to donate food to local pantries, ensuring that families in need are supported during the festive season. Since its inception this program has incrementally served local communities with broad based participation. In 2023, SewaDiwali local and national efforts contributed 6,000 lbs and 500,000 lbs respectively, that grew to 11,500 lbs and 700,000 lbs respectively in 2024. Diwali was celebrated globally on October 20, 2025.

The Abhimanyu Shakha extends its deepest gratitude to every person and organization who made this year's drive a shining success. Special thanks are extended to the four primary corporate participants, the contacted organizations that helped spread awareness, the local community groups who hosted collection points, and the countless families and dedicated youth volunteers.

Their compassion and dedication perfectly exemplify the true spirit of Diwali: bringing light to overcome darkness and ensuring hope reaches those who need it most in the local community.