BAPS mandirs and centres across the UK joined in a nationwide drive to donate food to local food banks and homeless shelters during the winter festive period.
This coordinated effort was a part of BAPS’s multifarious activities to support local communities, addressing the important issue of food insecurity.
The various BAPS mandirs and centres called upon worshippers and well-wishers to donate the most sought-after food items – including biscuits, coffee, tinned vegetables, tinned beans, vegetables, pasta, cereals, and rice – to help families adversely impacted during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis around the UK.
The combined donation, equating to provisions for thousands of meals, came at a crucial time when many individuals and families continue to face financial hardships exacerbated by a difficult winter period.
In London, Neasden Temple donated more than 2,500 items of food to Brent Foodbank. The contribution supported the charity’s ongoing efforts to assist vulnerable individuals and families in the local community. Brent Foodbank thanked Neasden Temple on X: “Thank you so much for your ongoing support! It will make such a big difference to households in crisis this winter.”
Similarly, Highfield Hall Community Centre in Birmingham commented on Facebook, “We are very grateful to have received such a wonderful donation for our foodbank from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Birmingham. This donation will help lots of families we support and other charities. Thank you so much for your kindness.”
After a donation from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Luton, Dunstable Foodbank sent a letter of appreciation. “We are writing to send our thanks to you all for the amazing donation that you collected for Dunstable Foodbank during the Christmas season. Through your generosity and kindness, you donated an incredibly generous 181.36kg of food to us, which is the equivalent weight to us providing approximately 300 meals! The people we help at the Foodbank are some of the most vulnerable families in our community and your donation will enable us to continue supporting them.”
Angie Lyall of the Daylight Centre Fellowship similarly wrote to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Wellingborough, “We would once again like to thank you for your ongoing donations to our food bank. Your generosity has allowed us to assemble and deliver food parcels to over 7,000 homes last year, including rough sleepers and those living in temporary accommodation.”
Ambrish Limbachia, a lead BAPS volunteer from Preston, explained, “During these challenging and uncertain times, we draw upon the inspiration of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, who encourages us to reach out to and serve people of all faiths and backgrounds selflessly.
“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting our charity partners nationwide and appreciate the incredible work they do to combat poverty across the UK. Together, we aim to provide meaningful assistance to those in greatest need during these challenging times.”