Sewa International Bay Area Chapter Donates Almost $1 Million of Supplies to Families Hit Hard by COVID Pandemic and Wildfires in Northern California  

San Francisco Bay Area CA (September 27, 2020): Since the pandemic started in March 2020, Sewa International Bay Area Chapter has served approximately 20,000families across Northern California by distributing 200,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, and other essential supplies and donating almost $300,000 to 300 individuals and families devastated by the COVID-19 Pandemic or the California wildfires or, in some cases, both. Close to 90 Sewa volunteers across the Bay Area have given almost 15,000 hours of their personal time over the past 6 months to help the vulnerable populations by organizing continuous donation drives and give away events in cities across the Bay Area, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Hayward, Livermore, Concow, Oroville, Santa Cruz and many others.  

For example, some of Sewa International’s more recent events are as follows: 

1. During the week of August 22 to 28, 2020, Sewa volunteers coordinated the donations of almost 40,000 lbs of fresh produce and supported almost 2000 families from Burma, Crisis Nursery, Redwood City and East Palo Alto. Additionally, more than 35,000 pounds of fresh produce were delivered to the City of Hayward Food Drive at Chabot College in Hayward. 

2. On Saturday, August 29, 2020, Sewa volunteers organized a school supply and food giveaway for 500 families in Oroville, CA as a drive through event. This event, which was done in partnership with Tiny Pine Foundation and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, included the distribution of school supplies, fresh fruits and vegetables. 

3. During the week of August 30 to September 7, Sewa volunteers participated in and/or organized a series of donation drive-through eventsin Pescadero, CA and in Half Moon Bay, CA.  In partnership with local organizations, Sewa distributed new blankets, books, toys, non-perishable items, hygiene products, new clothes, and packs of 1-gallon water bottles for 200 families.  

4. On Saturday, September 12, 2020, Sewa donated one huge truck load of hygiene products, batteries, cleaning supplies, diapers,  Sleeping bags, tents, hot food  and 3000 lbs of fresh fruits produce, groceries, gift cards  for more than 500 fire evacuees and needy families in Marysville, Butte County along with Tiny Pine Foundations and several other partner organizations. It was a true act of “Together we serve better”. 

5. Also, on Saturday, September 12, 2020, in Sewa’s first fresh produce distribution drive, Sewa volunteers with the help of Santa Clara Councilmember Raj Chahal, distributed almost 3000 lbs of fresh fruits and vegetables among the underprivileged community within the City of Santa Clara.    

6. On Friday, September 18, 2020, Sewa, in collaboration with HCCC Livermore temple and Livermore school district, donated 200 boxes (4,000 lbs) of canned  groceries and fresh fruits and vegetables.  

7. On Saturday, September 19, 2020, Sewa in collaboration with Tiny Pine Foundation and other  partner organizations, donated one truck load of almost 5000 lbs of fresh fruits and other groceries, hygiene products, batteries, cleaning supplies, diapers, hot food, and gift cards for 700+ fire evacuees and needy families in Oroville, Butte County.  

8. On Saturday, September 24, 2020, Sewa in collaboration with Tiny Pine Foundation and other  partner organizations, donated half truck load of almost 3000 lbs of fresh fruits and other groceries, hygiene products, batteries, cleaning supplies, diapers, hot food, and gift cards for 5000+ fire evacuees and needy families in Oroville, Butte County.  

9. On Saturday, Oct 3rd, 2020, Sewa in collaboration with Tiny Pine Foundation and other  partner organizations, donated groceries, hygiene products, batteries, cleaning supplies, diapers, hot food, and gift cards for 1000+ fire evacuees (~300 families) and needy families in Oroville, Butte County.  

10. On Saturday ,  Oct 3rd, 2020, Sewa international donated 360 Boxes of fresh produce including milk, dairy (lbs 12,5000) to 300+ families in Santa  Clara to COVID  affected families 

11. Just in the week of Sept 26th to Oct 3rd , Sewa has donated lbs 185,000 and is able to help 500+ families and seniors in bay area. Hayward City has been working with sewa to donate an  average of 1200 - 1500 boxes of fresh produce weekly among all the other partner orgs helping the local community  

Read more about COVID-19 Relief Activites - Bay Area Sewa International

Our local partners:

The Sewa Empower project is initiated in 2021 by the Sewa Bay Area chapter. The mission of this project is to provide personal and professional development training and support to anyone looking for a second chance to successfully transition to college/ career.

Even with credentials that permit entry into the California college system and/or careers, they face challenges around inadequate personal and/or professional skills that allow them to work and compete successfully in a college or career setting. Sewa Empower will provide purpose-driven personalized training and mentoring through hands-on workshops and community engagement. Trainers, mentors, and volunteers will assist participants build a personal/professional portfolio including a resume, LinkedIn Profile, personal statement, set SMART goals, manage stress and maintain work-life balance, use efficient time management and planning tools, practice interview techniques and effective communication/ public speaking, etc. Workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of each cohort.

One of the pilot benefactors of this project are students from San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School (SJCCCS ), a division of the Youth Build AmeriCorps program. SJCCCS provides high school diploma and job training to underserved youth between the ages of 17 ½ -27 years. They report higher than expected dropout or challenges to successful transition following their time at SJCCCS due to many factors. Sewa Empower will offer training, mentorship, and support to participants from SJCCCS to build their professional portfolio for successful transition to college and/or careers. 

Would you like to volunteer to help run a future workshop series? Click here.

Relief And Rehabilitation

Sewa Bay Area has been actively helping California Camp Fire victims from immediate relief, to rehabilitation and currently on to rebuilding tiny homes for the victims. Learn more on how you can support. 

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