Sponsor A Child For One Year Through Akshaya Patra

Rs. 1,100 – what can it get you - a shirt, dinner for two, a pair of shoes, grocery for a week, a movie ticket at a multiplex… or have we forgotten the value of a 1000-rupee note as demonetisation marked its exit? Well, this humble amount of money has much more to it than meets the eye!

Indu has been abandoned by her father after the demise of her mother. She is taken care of by her grandmother who does small tailoring jobs to make the ends meet. While the grandmother was juggling the possibilities of providing education to Indu, her neighbour suggested a nearby school which provided free school meals too. Indu’s grandmother thought no further and got little Indu enrolled in the school immediately. Today, Indu is a Standard VI student. She dearly values her grandmother’s care and understands the struggles she has been through in taking care of Indu. Indu says, “I aim to become a doctor to 'cure my grandmother'. I see her coughing all day round, increasing at night. When I rub her back to comfort, she says, ‘until My Little Doctor is with me, nothing can harm me.’ The high cost of health care keeps my grandmother away from a check-up. By becoming a doctor, I want to cure my grandmother and provide free treatment to other people as well.” 

This is just one story among 17,65,597 children – the beneficiaries of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a mid-day meal NGO that provides free school meals, on each school day.

What’s the role of Rs. 1,100?

Rs. 1,100 = Health + Education + Confidence + Power to realise aspirations.

Yes, when you sponsor a child through Akshaya Patra by donating Rs. 1,100, you essentially provide a child with nutritious and sumptuous school meals for an entire year. And these meals ensure their good health and regular schooling. So, when you do the math, it indicates that your contribution of Rs. 1,100 is preparing a child to be an empowered and resourceful citizen in the near future. Now, imagine if you keep adding this humble denomination, how many assets you would be creating for the nation. In essence, there lies the answer to the significant role of Rs. 1,100!

How to support Akshaya Patra?

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of the pioneer NGOs in the mid-day meal sector. It has a remarkable history of 18+ years of serving children with wholesome school meals. The Foundation that started off with feeding just 1,500 children in five schools, today feeds 17,65,597 children in 15,668 schools situated across 45 locations in 12 states of India. Akshaya Patra humbly dedicates this progress to the unceasing support of the Central Government and various State Governments along with thousands of philanthropic supporters who generously donate for children.

You can support this NGO through online donation and also by creating campaigns to conduct online fundraising. So, take a step to unleash the power of Rs. 1,100 because it can ensure no child in India is be deprived of education because of hunger – a vision that steers all the efforts of Akshaya Patra.

Feed the Children in India – Why & How?

Some thoughts and practices are timeless, like childhood must be nourished and nurtured in all possible ways to provide an amicable environment to children for their holistic development. This is something that has been followed since ages and it holds good even today.

But unfortunately, there are many families who are unable to meet even the basic need, let alone provide proper nourishment to children; and the reason is challenging socio-economic backgrounds. Hence, to bring children belonging to challenging backgrounds at par with regular children, several global and national organisations have steered their effort to support children; one such non-government organisation in India being The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Feed to nourish and nurture

The Akshaya Patra Foundation has been in the service of children since 2000. The Foundation supports education of children in Government schools and Government-aided schools by providing nutritious mid-day meals to them. Presently, Akshaya Patra is implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme across 12 states.

Each school day, Akshaya Patra provides lunch to 17,65,597 children
studying in 15,668 schools from its self-managed kitchens in 45 locations.

The Foundation implements this programme in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resource, Government of India and various State Governments along with support from philanthropic individuals and corporates. While providing food to children, Akshaya Patra ensure to adhere by the nutritional guidelines provided in the Central Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Akshaya Patra also makes sure children are served tasty meals so it follows locally palatable cyclic menu in all locations. This ensures children enjoy their meals to the fullest and receive maximum nutrition.

More than just food

While in its endeavour to feed the children for the past 18 years, Akshaya Patra has realised that the school meals mean much more than just food. These school meals act as a source of hope for the children who wait for it eagerly every lunch hour. Along with providing necessary nutrients, these meals bridge the gap between children and school. Children who would otherwise have to work to earn their square meal come to school only because of this free meal.

This meal embarks them on a journey of education that allows them
to achieve their deep-hidden aspirations.

The Mid-Day Meal Programme has proved itself to be one of the most potential intervention in accelerating the Right to Education mission. And being one of the pioneer Non-Government Organisation in India in the mid-day meal sector, Akshaya Patra has left no stone unturned in trying to benefit more and more children by bringing them under the ambit of this programme. 

How can you feed the children of India?

To provide nutritious food and rightful education to all the children across the country is possible, provided the resourceful and empowered citizens work in unison. So, choosing to feed the children by supporting a Non-Government Organisation in India will indeed bring the necessary change. You can either choose to donate to such organisation or volunteer your time and skill with them. Whatever your contribution could be, it will all benefit the young generation making them as empowered as you are today.

Take the opportunity now, to make a change that you will be proud of tomorrow!

Author Profile:

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a charitable trust in India implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme along with several child-centric initiatives. Your support through online donation can instantly and potentially improve lives of millions of children across India and also benefit you with tax exemption.

Akshaya Patra's work in Karnataka

In the year 2000, with a strong vision that ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger’ an organisation began serving freshly cooked, nutritious lunch to school children in Bengaluru… slowly and steadily it began expanding its service to other parts of the city… then to other parts of the state… and now nourishes 4,49,079 children across six locations of Karnataka…
along with operating in 11 other states…
 It’s The Akshaya Patra Foundation in a nutshell!

In 2000, Akshaya Patra began its journey as an NGO in Karnataka by providing lunch to 1,500 children of five Government schools in Bengaluru. Later, when the Supreme Court passed the mandate on 28 November 2001 directing all ‘the State Governments and Union Territories to implement the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in every Government and Government assisted schools’ this NGO partnered with the Government to further the reach of this Scheme.

Akshaya Patra’s work in Karnataka

Presently, there are seven Akshaya Patra kitchens in Karnataka preparing nutritious, hygienic, and locally palatable meals for 4,49,079 children, on each school day.

The below table shows the Foundation’s reach in the state:

KITCHEN LOCATIONS	nUMBER OF CHILDREN	NUMBER OF SCHOOLS	TYPE OF KITCHEN
Bengaluru - H.K. Hill (ISO 22000:2005)	73,424	496	Centralised Kitchen
Bengaluru - V.k. hill (ISO 22000:2005)	74,647	507	Centralised Kitchen
Ballari (ISO 22000:2005, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001)	1,12,474	559	Centralised Kitchen
Hubballi (ISO 22000:2005, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001)	1,32,165	849	Centralised Kitchen
Mangaluru	12,284	134	Centralised Kitchen
Mysuru	15,542	144	Centralised Kitchen
Jigani	28,543	198	Centralised Kitchen
TOTAL	4,49,079	2,887

All Akshaya Patra kitchens in Karnataka are centralised and mechanised cooking units. Among the seven kitchens, H.K Hill and V.K. Hill kitchens are ISO 22000:2005 certified, whereas Ballari, and Hubballi kitchens are ISO 22000:2005, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certified. The kitchens in Mangaluru, Mysuru and Jigani are in the process of certification.

Meal menu of Akshaya Patra in Karnataka

As a mid-day meal NGO in India, the Foundation wants to make sure that children of each and every location heartily enjoy their meals. Hence, while maintaining the recommended nutrition levels, the Foundation designs its meal menu to suit the local taste of a particular location. It also follows a cyclic menu to ensure children receive adequate nutrition from a wide variety of vegetables, pulses, spices and condiments; and also countering monotony of same taste. As an organisation providing mid-day meal in Karnataka, it caters to the typical South Indian taste.

The meal menu in Karnataka consists of: plain rice, ghee rice, khichdi, vegetable biryani, bisibelebaath, khara pongal, tur dal sambar, mixed pulses sambar, dal fry, gram dal sambar, chana dal sambar, moong dal sambar, moong chilka sambar, mixed sambar, kabuli chana sabji, beetroot chana sabji, mixed vegetable sabji, fried groundnut, and curd.

This NGO in Karnataka also serves its beneficiaries with a variety of sweets such as hayagriva, daliya sweet pongal, sweet pumpkin payasam, moong dal payasam, and jaggery sweet payasam.

To ensures children receive fresh and hot meals, Akshaya Patra has a dedicated fleet of customised insulated vehicles to deliver mid-day meal in Karnataka.

Choose to make a difference

Along with providing mid-day meals to school children as an NGO in Karnataka, Akshaya Patra also provides nutritious and tasty school meals to 17,65,597 children across 11 other states in India.

Akshaya Patra aims to nourish 50 lakh children in India by 2025.
Join the efforts of this NGO in India in nourishing, nurturing,
and empowering children of the nation.

Celebrate 73rd Independence Day by Supporting Children Charity in India

73^rd Indian Independence Day brings up memories of heart-stirring sacrifices, inestimable struggles, heart-warming patriotism… it also gives us moments to revel in the remarkable achievements and progresses India has made since its Independence on 15^th August 1947… and it also looks forward to the answer what are we doing for an inclusive progress of the country, here onwards….

15^th August, a day of national pride, indeed stirs up the patriotic chord in all of us. This is one day when all Indians feel the spirit of freedom in unison; this is one day when we truly feel the significance of being liberated from the rules of a foreign power. For many, this is also a day to pledge resolutions to serve the nation in whatever way possible.

Dedicate Independence Day 2019 to children

Clichéd it may sound but today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. A nation is so much liberated as much healthy and secure the childhood of its children are. So, let’s dedicate this IndependenceDay to the children of the nation. Like it or not, even after 73 years of independence, there are millions of children in India who are yet to receive the assurance of daily meals and schooling. To alter this situation in the best possible way and in the most sustainable manner, many charitable organisations have dedicated their efforts and time to children.

Similar is the focus of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a children charity in India that has been relentlessly working to support education of children by providing them with nutritious mid-day meals at school. The Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resource, Government of India and various State Governments implements the Mid-Day Meal Scheme across 12 states of India. At present, this children charity in India is providing wholesome meals to 1,765,597 children studying in 15,668 Government schools and Government-aided schools situated in 45 locations.

#PledgeToFeed with Akshaya Patra

Since its inception in 2000, Akshaya Patra has grown from feeding 1,500 children to nourishing 1,765,597 children in 2019. The ambitions of these children and the visible impact that regular mid-day meals have been creating over the years motivates Akshaya Patra to expand its service to bring more and more children under the ambit of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

#PledgeToFeedis a platform created by Akshaya Patra this Independence Day where you can support as many children as you wish to. Your generous support today will create the foundation for a nourished and nurtured India. Your support will definitely lead Akshaya Patra in the path to achieving the mission of feeding 5 million children by 2025.

This 73^rd Indian Independence Day, celebrate the spirit of freedom with 1.76 million children. Let’s together nourish, educate, and empower children of India.

Non-Profit Organisation: Income Tax Exemption Benefits

Many a times we are caught unaware of the ways we can involve with social causes and the benefit it brings to the society at large and us in personal. So, here we will discuss about tax exemption donation that results in a win-win situation for both the charity and the donor. 

Significant role of NPOs 

Non-profit organisation (NPO) regardless of its cause plays a significant role in the progress of a society and the world at large. The effectiveness of NPOs is very well evident in the way various causes are being addressed across the globe. The operational structure of NPOs allows them to work from the grass root level thereby bringing change in a more sustainable manner. The plethora of issues these organisations deal addresses concerns at various levels thereby enabling an inclusive change in the society. One can choose to support a non-profit organisation depending on the cause they relate to the most. For example: If you are an avid believer that education can address most of the socio-economic issues, then you can opt to support those NPOs that are working in the education sector. 

Does your support to NPO bring you any benefit? 

Acknowledging the remarkable impact of non-profit organisations, the Government of India has made the provision of tax exemption donation for all those who contribute monetary help to non-profit organisations. As per Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, contributing donations to a registered NPO or a charitable trust can avail the donor 100% or 50% exemption on the donated amount based upon the type of charitable trust and the clauses of the Income Tax Act. 

Funds play a crucial role in the management and operations of a non-profit organisation. Reason being this, these organisations value each penny of the donation received and maximise its potential towards achieving the goals of their respective causes. Over the years, it has been observed that there is upward trend in the number of individuals who donate towards charity. According to the World Giving Index 2018, giving to charities has increased in developing nations. Additionally, the government is also taking strict measures to ensure financial transparency and accountability with regards to the funds received by the NPOs. This has to a great extent boosted confidence among donors. 

Well, we see here that supporting a cause not only benefits the charitable organisation but makes the donor eligible for tax exemption benefits. 

Feed a child – a noble way to save tax!

Childhood is a wonderful stage and it needs our utmost care. But unfortunately, there are millions of children across the world who are deprived of ‘living their childhood’ mainly because of their low socio-economic backgrounds. To uphold the childhood of these children several NPOs dedicate their work for the single cause called – children. One such organisation is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Akshaya Patra is a non-profit organisation in India working for children for the past 18+ years. It supports health and education of children in government schools and government-aided schools by implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme. Presently, this organisation provides the much-needed daily school meals to 1,765,597 children in 15,668 schools across 45 locations in 12 states of India. 

Your choice to feed a child through this organisation will transform the life of a child making them healthy, educated, and resourceful citizens of the country. It will also make you eligible for tax exemption donation. In conclusion, your financial support to a non-profit organisation has the power to change the society and the world into a better place. Choose to act!  

Author Profile: 

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an Indian NGO implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme along with several child-centric initiatives. Your support to Akshaya Patra can potentially improve lives of millions of children across India and also avail your tax exemption. 

Akshaya Patra's Effort in Assam Flood Relief 2019

Water level rising every hour… 30 of total 33 districts submerged… 4,157 villages inundated… approximately 43-lakh people affected… 95% of Kaziranga National Park under water… This is the current situation of Assam!

Assam has been hit by one of the worst floods in a decade leaving the entire state paralysed. The Government of Assam issued a red alert on 15 July 2019 as the situation worsened every passing hour. Nearly 1.5 lakh people have been provided shelter in relief camps operational across the state. In a grim situation like this, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO in Assam has stepped in to provide cooked meals to affected people in Kamrup district.

Guwahati flood relief work by Akshaya Patra

Akshaya Patra, a mid-day meal NGO has its kitchen in Guwahati, Assam. It begun its Guwahati flood relief activities from 17^th July. The NGO is providing meals to affected people twice a day – lunch and dinner from its Guwahati kitchen. It began the relief operations by feeding 700 people in a relief camp in Athgaon area and now has extended its service to other relief camps in Kamrup district. So far, this NGO in Assam has already provided more than 22,000 meals. The Foundation is serving rice, vegetable pulao, kabuli chana, and mixed vegetable dal for lunch; and khichdi and labra sabji for dinner. In order to garner support from people, Akshaya Patra has started a campaign where one can contribute online donation in aid of Assam flood relief.

Past relief activities of Akshaya Patra

Be it within the borders of India or beyond, Akshaya Patra has always been proactive in responding to disaster situations. The NGO is always present to provide relief to crisis-hit people by providing cooked food.

Support flood relief activities

Over the years, Akshaya Patra has received heart-warming responses from people coming forward to support disaster-affected fellow citizens. They have generously contributed towards Akshaya Patra’s relief campaigns at different occasions. Currently, Assam needs your urgent help. Come forth and support Guwahati flood relief campaign by generously contributing online donation in aid of people of Assam. Support now!