Hoosier Hearts in Action: SewaDiwali Spreads Light and Hope Across Indiana

In a heartwarming display of unity and compassion, the Hindu and Jain communities of Indiana joined hands over the past two weeks for a transformative mission: to bring light and hope to families in need. As part of the annual SewaDiwali food drive, volunteers across Indianapolis and surrounding areas collected non-perishable food items and fresh produce to support local families, all while fostering deeper community connections.

A Campaign Rooted in Compassion and Creativity: This year’s campaign not only embraced traditional food collection efforts but also adapted to support elderly community members who wished to contribute. For those unable to purchase canned goods, monetary donations were accepted. These funds were used to purchase food items from local stores like Aldi, which were then carefully sorted into care packages. This inclusive approach ensured that everyone had the opportunity to participate in the spirit of Sewa (selfless service).

With over 150 volunteers from 20 Dharmic organizations, including Srimad Rajchandra Love and Care, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS), Telugu Association of Indiana, Sewa International USA, and more, the campaign mobilized networks across Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, and beyond. Together, they created a movement that exceeded expectations, collecting over 9,000 pounds of non-perishable food and 2,600 pounds of fresh produce.

Door-to-Door Outreach: Building Bridges: One of the hallmarks of this year’s campaign was its innovative door-to-door outreach strategy. Volunteers coordinated with local leaders to identify neighborhoods across cities like Avon, Brownsburg, Columbus, and Greenwood, systematically engaging residents to share the vision of SewaDiwali.

• Strategic Planning: Volunteers coordinated with local Dharmic / Indic linguistic organizations and community leaders to identify neighborhoods with high potential for participation. Areas across Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Columbus, Avon, Brownsburgh and Greenwood were mapped out for systematic outreach.
• Community Conversations:Volunteers went door-to-door in small groups, sharing the purpose of SewaDiwali and explaining how donated food items would benefit local families. Conversations centered on the importance of community support and how even small contributions could make a big impact.
• Convenience in Giving: Residents were encouraged to fill reusable bags with non-perishable food items and leave them on their doorsteps for collection. Volunteers revisited these homes a few days later to pick up the donations, making it as convenient as possible for participants to contribute.\
• Spreading Awareness Through Social Media
  Each volunteer group shared updates and photos on social media, amplifying the campaign’s reach and inspiring others to get involved.

Fresh Produce for Immigrant Families: A significant highlight of this year’s food drive was the distribution of 2,600 pounds of fresh produce to immigrant families on the south side of Indianapolis. Families from Syria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Congo, Afghanistan, and Myanmar received fresh fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, apples, and carrots, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food. This marked the seventh successful distribution under the SewaDiwali Food Drive, further spreading the light of service and community.

“Recently arrived migrant families to the Indianapolis area are frequently in need of fresh produce to supplement their diets. We, at Welcome Baskets Inc., are therefore incredibly grateful to the Greater Indianapolis Hindu and Jain communities for generously donating 2600 pounds of fresh food through the SEWA Diwali food drive,” said said, Lesley MacKellar of Welcome Basket Inc.. This has helped our newest neighbors see “Hoosier Hospitality” in action and better understand this season of Thanksgiving. 

Beyond Numbers: A Community Impact: The collected food was sorted into care packages and distributed through local organizations, including:

• Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis (3 locations)
• Family Promise of Hamilton County
• Fueled for School, Noblesville
• Great Harvest Food Pantry, Greenwood
• Love Chapel Pantry of Columbus, IN
• MLM Pantry, Avon
• Welcome Basket, Indianapolis

Heartfelt Appreciation from Community Leaders: Vop Osili, president of the Indianapolis City Council, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Heartfelt thanks to SRLC and the SewaDiwali food drive for their incredible support. The Hindu and Jain community’s generosity is making a profound difference for the boys and girls of Indianapolis.”

A Shared Vision of Hope: This effort was made possible through the collective contributions of volunteers who dedicated over 500 hours to planning, outreach, and logistics. The door-to-door campaign and fresh produce distribution not only helped collect food but also fostered deeper connections within the community, as neighbors came together to support a common cause.

The campaign’s success highlights the transformative power of SewaDiwali, turning a simple act of giving into a movement that spreads hope, love, and light.

Audra Shock of Fueled for School in Noblesville shared, “Your generosity will make a meaningful impact, supporting 380-400 children who depend on this assistance. We are deeply grateful.”

Through SewaDiwali, the Indiana community has demonstrated that together, we can make a brighter future—not just for those in need but for everyone who shares in the spirit of giving. Thank you to all who contributed to making this year’s campaign a resounding success.

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J.R. Sandadi is a long-time Carmel, Indiana resident. He migrated to the U.S. in the early 1990s and worked in the IT sector for 25 years before retiring from the corporate world. He volunteers his time with Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh (HSS, USA), and Sewa International USA. Sandadi is also involved with multiple interfaith initiatives across Indiana. He is a founding member of the Indiana Multi-faith Network.