PARSIPPANY – The Sewa Diwali initiative is an endeavor orchestrated by a coalition of Indian American organizations and individuals deeply rooted in Hindu values. It is a collective effort fueled by the shared belief in the mantra, “Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity.” Recognizing that the well-being of society is a responsibility shared by all, the initiative aims to nurture it with the utmost care and compassion.
This dedicated group achieved remarkable success by conducting the Sewa Diwali food drive across 32 states, encompassing over 200 townships, and involving more than 300 organizations. The volunteers who contributed to this noble cause come from diverse backgrounds, including school students, working professionals, and entrepreneurs from various walks of life. Their collective efforts have made this initiative a reality.
Locally they donated canned and dry food at Parsippany Food Pantry, Interfaith Food Pantry at the Morris Plains location, Morristown Soup Kitchen, Denville, Montville Food Pantry, and surrounding North Jersey towns with a total of 16,000 lbs of food.
The concept behind Sewa Diwali is simple yet profound: selfless service. It revolves around giving back to society during the festive season of Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Lights.” Throughout October, November, and December, residents generously donated canned non-perishable foods, aiming to provide much-needed support to underprivileged families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
The participating organizations in this admirable endeavor include:
- HSS – Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindu Service Society)
- Sewa International
- BAPS
- SRLC
- I Love Sai
- Chhapaiya Dham Temple
- Chatham Indian Community
- Shiv Shakti Mandir
- Fairlawn Hindu Community
- Mahwah Temple
Together, they have exemplified the spirit of unity, compassion, and community service, embodying the true essence of the Sewa Diwali initiative.