Sewa International’s Houston Chapter Distributes 100,000 Pounds of Food to the Needy

Sewa volunteers distributed food kits at Catalina Apartments in Houston, TX. 

Houston, (June 23, 2020): Entering the second phase of the COVID-19 relief efforts, Sewa International’s Houston Chapter has distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food in the Greater Houston area partnering closely with 15 community organizations.

“Sewa organized 15 food drives in the past seven weeks in Houston’s various low-income neighborhoods and served more than 3,400 families by giving them food kits containing 30 pounds or more food. We are conducting our food drives in the apartment complexes where the most vulnerable communities live,” said Gitesh Desai, Sewa’s Houston Chapter President.

“Sewa is planning to have these drives every weekend for the next few weeks. On Saturday, June 27, food & mask distributions are planned from 10 to 11 AM in Shri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha on Kieth Harrow Blvd, Arrowood Apartments on South Course Drive, and Villa Adora Apartments on Beechnut St in Houston,” said Rashmi Singh & Yash Havalimane, Sewa’s Lead for Food drive.

Sewa volunteers distributing food kits to families in an apartment complex in Houston, TX.

Phenomenal Support

“The kind of support we are getting from other Indian American community organizations for the food drive is phenomenal. Reflecting the age-old Hindu tradition of “Anna Daan” (providing food to the needy), many Hindu Temples, religious and cultural organizations and altruistic individuals from the community have joined hands with us to serve the underserved,” said Nikhil Jain, Sewa’s Houston Chapter Coordinator.

“Nationally, Sewa has distributed more than 635,000 masks and other protective materials to physicians, healthcare staff and to the first responders such as police officers and firefighters in the last 12 weeks. As hunger spreads through the communities due to the economic impact of the pandemic, we are moving into the next stage to ensure that people do not go hungry,” said Achalesh Amar, Sewa’s Director of Disaster Relief.

Sewa conducted the biggest drive at Catalina Apartments in association with International Management District, Shree Nathji's Haveli VPSS and Brighter Bites on Saturday, June 21 and distributed 400 food kits containing beans, pasta, sauce, rice, sugar, etc. Hubert Vo, Member, House District 149, Texas House of Representatives, and Houston Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas (District F) participated in the drive.

In the drive held at the Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 250 families received food kits. At the Sri Meenakshi Temple event, 250 food kits were distributed, and India’s Consul General in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, and Texas House Member, Ed Thompson, participated. In Richmond, TX food drives in four apartment complexes were conducted by Sewa and Katy Youth Cricket. Fort Bend County Judge, KP George, visited these complexes and motivated residents.

Gujrati Samaj, Shree Nathji's Haveli VPSS, Chinmaya Mission, and Vadtal Dham Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple joined hands with Sewa to distribute 16,500 pounds of food in three apartment complexes and in a drive-through event. In all of these drives several hundred pounds of vegetables and fruits and hundreds of gallons of milk and masks was distributed.

Many organizations from Houston -- Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Shree Nathji's Haveli VPSS, Sri Meenakshi Temple, Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, Chinmaya Mission, Vedanta Society, Vadtal Dham Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple , Hindu Worship Society, Gujarati Samaj, Katy Youth Cricket, Brighter Bites, Hindus for America, Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America (MMNA), Sant Nirankari Mission, Sneha Hastham, Southwest District, International Management District , Telica, Umang Mehta of Deep Foods, Pankaj & Rupali Maheshwari, Mrugesh & Pallavi Parikh – sponsored and worked closely with Sewa International to conduct these food drives.

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency.

For more information on Sewa International and its activities, please visit http://www.sewausa.org . For more information on Sewa International’s efforts to support communities nationwide during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit https://sewausa.org/covid-19 .

 

Dr. Erica Greenberg, Head of the Pediatric OCD and Tic Disorders program in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston speaking on Sewa’s grant in a video released by the hospital.

Boston, MA (June 12, 2020):  Sewa International’s Boston Chapter announced a $50,000 grant to the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to help children suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This grant will help Pediatric OCD and Tic Disorders program in the Department of Psychiatry at the hospital to increase families’ access to care and reduce the waiting list.

Sewa volunteers who recently had a conversation with Dr. Erica Greenberg, Head of the OCD program and the Department of Psychiatry on how COVID-19 pandemic impacts the children with OCD were told by  Dr. Greenberg  that the “Coronavirus is generating terrible anxiety, stress and fear: the fear of illness, the fear of death and loss, and the stress of social distancing. The result is an increased need for mental health care for OCD pediatric patients”. “We were moved by the plight of these children and raised funds for the grant,” said Ashwani Garg, Sewa’s Vice President for Administration and its Boston Chapter Coordinator.

“Sewa’s grant will fund the OCD and Tic Disorders clinical team to recruit a part-time social worker. This person will provide virtual therapy to patients, manage requests for physician referrals, collaborate with schools and run virtual patient and parent support groups,” said Dr. Suresh Jain, Mentor of Sewa’s Boston Chapter and  a community leader.

Thanking Sewa for the grant, Deborah M. Farr, Senior Director of Development at the MGH said, “Your partnership is deeply meaningful to us and comes at a critical time for Dr. Greenberg’s patients and their families”.

 OCD is a brain and behavior disorder that often begins in childhood, causing severe anxiety and obsessive behavior, intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that occur repeatedly. Children with OCD often display compulsive behaviors such as incessant handwashing, going back and forth to check if doors are locked, or repeatedly apologizing. Sometimes these children repeat phrases or noises as if to eliminate upsetting feelings or to prevent bad things from happening.  These obsessions and compulsions ultimately consume the child and negatively interfere with their daily life. If untreated, OCD increases in severity over time.  

For these children, while life in the pre-COVID world was difficult, the onset of the pandemic has made matters worse. Their fragile mental health situation is now under acute pressure with resultant impact to their academic performance, friendships, and self-esteem. It has also increased suicidal thoughts among these children.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

For more information on Sewa International and its activities, please visit http://www.sewausa.org. For more information on Sewa International’s efforts to support communities nationwide during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit https://sewausa.org/covid-19.

Houston, TX (June 09, 2020): Sewa International and TV ASIA are presenting “Sur Sangam”, an exclusive musical performance featuring six prominent singers -- Ankit Tiwari, Shaan, Anup Jalota, Daler Mehndi, Jaspinder Narula and Madhushree Bhattacharya -- on Sunday, June 14 at 1 PM EST.  

The event is going to be telecast live by TV Asia and World BBTV and streamed online on Sewa’s Social Media channels. The  concert, which will help raise funds for Sewa’s COVID-19 relief efforts, can be  watched  online at  http://ow.ly/17OS50A1b3K. Viewers can also download World BBTV App on their mobile phones, computers or smart tv to watch this event live.

“It is great to partner with TV ASIA to present these six artistes in an exclusive music concert to raise funds for our COVID-19 relief work. This is a talented and popular ensemble and I am confident that music lovers will enjoy the show,” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International.

“More than 3000 Sewa International volunteers from 43 chapters are working in 198 cities, in 27 states across the country to provide relief to communities beleaguered by the pandemic. To help the frontline workers, we have distributed more than 625,000 N95, KN95, surgical and homemade masks so far. We are supported by 400 community organizations and we are running 11 helplines to provide non-medical help. We have served 350 institutions such as food banks, health clinics, senior centers and first responders, and handled more than one thousand calls for help and advice,” Prof. Sreenath said.

The SurSangam concert sports the tagline “World Fights COVID-19 – What World Needs Now is Solidarity”. This event, in which Sewa International and TV ASIA are collaborating, is to raise funds for an important and urgent cause. Sewa International had organized a live concert on May 16, 2020 – which was streamed online -- by the famous spiritual singer Kailash Kher to raise funds for its pandemic relief work.

TV ASIA is an entertainment company headquartered in Edison, NJ. Founded in 1993, TV ASIA is known for telecasting a variety of original news, and musical and cultural shows covering the vibrant Indian Asian community in the US.  Its “Community Roundup” program aired every day at 6 PM EST is popular among Indian American/South Asian viewers and covers community celebrations, festivals and local events.

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

Houston, TX (June 07, 2020): Sewa International’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Arun Kankani announced that the organization had crossed the one million dollar mark in fund-raising over the past ten weeks since Sewa International took on the challenge to battle the pandemic raging across the world. “We are the small engine that can. Our steady, coordinated, hard work in supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to those fighting on the frontlines of this pandemic, as well as providing a variety of support to those who are caught in the web of this pandemic – from stranded international students to people who have lost jobs, and from individuals who are seeking plasma transfusion to providing food and groceries for people in need – has enabled generous donors to understand and acknowledge our work. They have given of their trust and generosity to us, and we thank them for both,” Arun Kankani said.  

In their ongoing effort to help support communities across the country during this unprecedented pandemic, Sewa International has distributed more than 625,000 masks, 63,000 hot meals and food kits, donated more than $100,000 to food pantries, and engaged and coordinated the work of more than 200 professionals including doctors, attorneys, financial and employment specialists to offer more than 90 webinars to provide expert guidance. This work carried out through its 43 chapters in 198 cities across the country, with more than 3,000 volunteers involved in various relief activities unremittingly, has made an impact across communities. Nearly 1,000 Sewa volunteers are engaged in making homemade masks. Sewa International is also running 10 helplines in different metropolitan areas to provide non-medical advice and assistance. Sewa has also helped hundreds of stranded international students and travelers so far, coordinating the work with foreign consulates.

GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

“While we are in the midst of this pandemic relief work, Sewa received the 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.  This highest recognition from GuideStar shows Sewa’s commitment to transparency,” said Arun Kankani. As per information from GuideStar, by providing complete information required for this rating, non-profits give potential donors better insight into their work to help them make educated decisions.

“We live in really challenging times, and the whole world has been impacted. As we continue to work to mitigate the problems people are facing, we want to thank our generous donors without whose help we would have found it more challenging to carry out this work. Look out for our volunteers in their yellow t-shirts in your community, and know that they are there to help you,” said Arun Kankani.

Donors Form the Bedrock

Sewa is following a multi-pronged approach in its relief efforts and a few philanthropists have pledged $50,000 each to ensure continued success of different tracks. These donors have become the bedrocks on which Sewa is building its robust COVID-19 response.

For its general relief stream, Sewa has received support from Avadhesh Agarwal, hotelier, businessman and philanthropist from Los Angeles, CA. This track includes COVID-19 relief efforts ranging from running 11 Sewa helplines across the country to help the needy with non-medical advice to providing food and medicines to the stranded students and travelers.

Sewa received financial backing from Jugal Malani, an industrialist & philanthropist from Houston, TX, for its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) track. Sewa is supplying masks, sanitizers, face shields and other protective gear to first responders who are on the frontline to protect our communities from COVID-19 pandemic.

Food & Essentials

Sewa’s Food and Essential Support initiative received funding from Rani Kumra, a philanthropist from Bay Area, CA. Sewa is supplying hot meals, groceries, medicines, homemade masks, hygiene kits and other essentials to vulnerable families and individuals across the country through this track.

Volunteers belonging to Sewa International or its partner organizations in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Pakistan, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana are supporting migrant workers and underserved communities affected by COVID-19 by providing them with food, masks, and other essentials. Ramesh Jain, entrepreneur and philanthropist from Germany, is backing the international COVID-19 relief efforts with his generous donation.

To reach this fundraising milestone, Sewa has also received unstinting financial support from many organizations. Chinmaya Mission, Houston has given $25,001, All India Movement (AIM) for Seva, Arya Samaj, Greater Houston, Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj of Houston and Datta Yoga Center have donated $10,000 or more to Sewa for COVID-19 relief work. More than 400 organizations across the country have supported Sewa through their monetary donations and by providing volunteer force, food, material and space. 

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 25 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

  

Oroville, CA (June 02, 2020): Sewa International’s Bay Area Chapter distributed hot meals, groceries, masks, and hygiene kits to more than 700 families in a drive-through distribution event held in Oroville, CA on Saturday, May 30, as part of its extensive COVID-19 relief efforts.

In addition, Sewa International also donated 500 masks to the Oroville Hospital and distributed goody packets to kids which included wipes, school supplies, and snack bags of cereal.

“Our cadre of volunteers are working hard to support the underprivileged sections of our society in these trying times.  Our aim is to achieve the well-being of all by providing a stable support structure by developing overall cooperation within society,” said Sewa International Bay Area Chapter President Jayant Somani.

“Through this event, we coordinated with homeless shelters and senior citizen homes across the Concow and Oroville areas to ensure that their important work of feeding the homeless and supporting senior citizens. Sewa is grateful for the enormous support it received from many of the local community organizations in fighting this COVID-19 pandemic together,” said Somani.

Tiny Home Donated

As  part of the Campfire relief initiative, Sewa International, in partnership with the Tiny Homes Organization, donated the third tiny home its volunteers built to Casey, a veteran who had lost his home in the fires that ravished his area last year. Three more tiny homes are being built to be donated by Sewa.

“This is amazing.  I had basically forgotten how people should live.  It had been so long that I got so used to this tent (that I was living in). I had basically lost hope.  This gave me hope.  I can become human again… What you all are doing is amazing -- your loyalty and everything.  Please keep doing it, if you can,” said Casey in appreciation of receiving his new home. 

625,000 Masks Distributed

Prior to this event, the Bay Area chapter had distributed almost 57,000 KN95, N95, surgical, face shields and hand- made masks to the United States Postal Service, Valley Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, San Ramon Police Department, City of Sunnyvale, and City of Cupertino, and many other city, medical, and emergency service responders.

Nationwide, Sewa International has donated over 625,000 masks, 1,000 liters of sanitizer, 63,000 hot meals and food, and over $100,000 to food pantries during this COVID-19 crisis.  Through the hard work of more than 3,000 volunteers across 43 chapters and in collaboration with over 800 organizations across the country, Sewa International has committed itself to supporting all essential workers and service industries in these trying times.  In addition, Sewa International has set up 10 national helpline centers to field and monitor all calls for help and information. Through the information received via these helplines, Sewa International launched the Plasma Registry Drive which led to successful registry matches for four COVID-19 patients.

Partner Organizations helping Sewa International’s efforts

Working with and helping Sewa reach out to the community are several partner organizations. They include the  Annapoorna USA Foundation (Sacramento), Bengaluru Voice, Bharati Tamil Sangam, Feed My Peeps, Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh, IINDIA-SC, Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America, Makers for COVID-19, My Support for Kids Foundation, Posh Textiles, PrinterPrezz, Raja Sweets and Catering, Rajasthan Association of North America, Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley, Sleeping Bags for the Homeless of Silicon Valley, Tiny Homes, Tri-Valley Kannada Sangha, Vishnuji Ki Rasoi.    

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild homes, and greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

 Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

For more information on Sewa International and its activities, please visit www.sewausa.org.

For more information on Sewa International’s efforts to support communities nationwide during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit https://sewausa.org/covid-19

                                   

Sewa New Jersey Chapter Distributes 25,000 Masks to First Responders

Parsippany, NJ (May 31, 2020): Sewa International’s North Jersey Chapter distributed 25,000 masks, 500 sanitizers and disinfectant wipes to first responders such as police officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff on Friday, May 29 from 1 to 3 PM at the Police Athletic League (APL Center) in  Parsippany,  New Jersey.

Officers from more than 70 County Sheriff and EMS departments collected the PPE at the event. Sewa volunteers distributed 9000 KN-95 and 16,000 surgical masks and first responders from three North Jersey counties -- Morris, Passaic, and Bergen -- took part in the drive. 

“Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our first responders tops the list of COVID-19 relief activities carried out by Sewa across the country.  Through this drive, we are saying ‘thank you’ to EMS workers, police officers and firefighters who are working hard to help the country fight the pandemic,” said Sewa International North Jersey Chapter Joint Coordinator Rashmita Shanbhag.

Parsippany’s mayor Michael Soriano and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 26th District, attended the event. “Thank you” cards made by the students participating in Sewa’s LEAD internship program were also distributed to first responders at the event.

Appreciating the PPE drive by Sewa, Assemblywoman  DeCroce said, “Thank you for everything you do for our communities here is Morris county, in New Jersey, and in the United States because you are working not just in New Jersey but across the country and internationally. Your efforts are amazing and the work you do to help others is something of great respect”.

Sewa International has distributed 625,000 masks, 45,000 hot meals and food kits, and 10,000 bags of groceries across the country to help families and individuals affected by COVID-19. Sewa has 43 chapters in the country and more than 3,000 of its volunteers are involved in various relief activities, and nearly 1,000 Sewa volunteers are engaged in making homemade masks. Sewa is running 10 helplines in different metropolitan areas to  provides non-medical advice and assistance. Sewa has also helped hundreds of stranded international students and travelers so far.

About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 25 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

   

Houston, Tx (May 21, 2020): Sewa International announced the first tranche of $10,000 toward rescue and relief operations as Super Cyclone Amphan devastated vast stretches of two states in India – Odisha and West Bengal.

Amphan, which began forming on May 16 and dissipated today, May 21, has caused widespread damage to infrastructure in the coastal states of Odisha and West Bengal as it moved inland with 105 mph winds, heavy sea surge, and massive rain. Boats, agricultural crops, and houses have been destroyed, electricity poles and trees uprooted, and vast stretches of agricultural land, villages, and towns have become inundated. Amphan was, according to NASA estimates, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Causing widespread damage over the Eastern parts of India and Bangladesh Amphan is the strongest cyclone to strike the Ganges Delta since 2007 and the first super cyclonic storm to occur in the Bay of Bengal since the 1999 Odisha cyclone. It has claimed 72 lives in India as of today. Adding to the challenges facing rescue and relief efforts is the current pandemic where these affected areas are developing into COVID-19 hotspots.

“Sewa International with on the ground partners/volunteers is committed to providing all support to the affected people in this hour of need,” said Swadesh Katoch, VP of Disaster Recovery, Sewa International. “We have partnered with relief organizations in India over the past two decades, and our people are already in the area working on rescue and relief operations. There is an urgent need of tarpaulins, packed food, utensils, seasonal clothing, first-aid kits, toiletries, flashlights, water bottles, mosquito mats/nets, backpacks, etc., and we will do our best to supply them in the coming days. I urge people to donate generously to Sewa so that we can provide the necessary support in this time of need,” Mr. Katoch urged.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

Houston, TX (May 13, 2020): Sewa International and the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO) have partnered to organize a live concert – to be streamed online -- by well-known spiritual singer Kailash Kher on Saturday, May 16. The concert will help raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts. This concert is dedicated to "Front line and Healthcare Workers" who are working day and night to keep the country safe against COVID-19.

Kailash Kher singing in one of his concerts (Photo Courtesy: https://www.kailashkher.com/)

The event is scheduled from 1 to 2 PM EST on May 16 and hosted as a Facebook Live event on the Sewa Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sewainternationalusa/). “We feel delighted that Kailash has agreed to appear in this concert to help Sewa raise funds for its nationwide COVID-19 relief work. We are really honored to present this concert in partnership with Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO),” said Prof. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International.

“More than 2500 Sewa International volunteers from 43 chapters are working in 22 metro areas across the country to provide relief to the community beleaguered by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help the frontline workers, we have distributed 300,000 N95, KN95 and surgical masks so far. We are supported by 275 community organizations and we are running eight helplines to provide non-medical help. Sewa’s online COVID Plasma Registry has 75 registered donors and 30 recipients. We have performed four matches until now,” Prof. Sreenath said.

Kailash Kher, a playback singer from India is a winner of the “Padma Shri” award, one of the top civilian awards given by the Government of India, for his achievements in the field of music. He likes to call himself a mystical nomad and his music is influenced by Indian folk music. Kher says he was born Into the world of Nirgun Sangeet and his childhood was filled with music and compositions from Pandit Meher Singh Kher (his father) and teachers from India’s famed spiritual and music tradition such as  Kabir Das, Guru Nanak, Ravi Das and Guru Goraknath.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency. 

 Sewa International Bay Area Chapter Distributes 28,000 Masks to First Responders

Milpitas, CA (May 3, 2020): Sewa International’s Bay Area Chapter donated 28,000 surgical, N95, and KN95 masks to first responders such as healthcare workers, police officers, fire fighters, and hospital staff. They also distributed 1500 meals to families in need on Sunday, May 3 in an invitation-only drive-through event as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts.

“We wholeheartedly pledge to support the courageous healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and many others who are working hard to make our community COVID-19 free.  As part of our pledge, Sewa International has committed to provide these front-line workers with the personal protection gear (PPE) they need to stay safe,” said Sewa International Bay Area Chapter President Jayant Somani.

Supplies were distributed to 20 agencies including San Mateo Medical Center, Oakland Children’s Hospital, City of Sunnyvale, City of Cupertino, and the Mountain View Police Department. Ten volunteers and key donors were at the event to ensure that the event was a success.  “We pledge to continue to support these essential workers each week until the situation improves,” said Mr. Somani.

Mayor of Cupertino Steven Scharf, Mayor of Sunnyvale Larry Klein, San Mateo Medical Center CEO John Jurro, and the City Manager for the City of San Mateo Drew Corbett were present during the drive.

Volunteers at the Sewa International Bay Area Chapter’s drive-through mask drive on Sunday, May 3 in Milpitas, CA.

Building Community

“I appreciate what Sewa is doing. It is bringing people together in our communities.  I especially appreciate what Sewa is doing today in handing out these masks and food to organizations and different people in our community who really need it.  I appreciate Sewa’s building this community which is a critical thing, and I appreciate everything they’re doing around the bay and around the world," said Larry Klein, Mayor of the City of Sunnyvale. 

“I just wanted to say thank you to Sewa for the masks for the community. We are currently seeing a tremendous need out in the community for all the folks who need masks to do critical things, even go to the grocery store. For instance, all the cloth masks Sewa donated today will be delivered to our vulnerable senior population who are not necessarily able to get their own masks right now. They are helping serve a tremendous need in our community, and, on behalf of the city of San Mateo, I would like to thank Sewa for its generosity during this difficult time,” said Drew Corbett, City Manager for the City of San Mateo.

Food to the Homeless

In addition to the protective gear, Sewa volunteers also distributed over 1500 food packets and meals to the Oakland and Mountain View homeless communities, Fremont families in need, the Muslim Community Center of Pleasanton, the Alcosta Senior Center in Livermore, and many others.   “Sewa International and the Mountain View Police Department have been partnering for about three weeks now to help our homeless population get the food that they need and the masks out to the vulnerable population, and we really appreciate this partnership,” said Police Sergeant Wahed Magee with the City of Mountain View.   

Prior to this event, the Bay Area chapter had distributed almost 20,000 KN95, N95, surgical and hand-made masks and face shields to the United States Postal Service, Valley Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, San Ramon Police Department and many other medical and emergency service responders.  

Nationwide, Sewa International has donated over 300,000 masks, 1000 liters of sanitizer, 4000 hot meals each week, and over $100,000 to food pantries during this COVID-19 crisis.  Through the hard work of more than 2500 volunteers across 43 chapters and 22 metro areas and in collaboration with over 250 organizations across the country, Sewa International has committed to supporting all essential workers and service industries in these trying times.  In addition, Sewa International has set up eight national helpline centers to field and monitor all calls for help and information. Through the information received via these helplines, Sewa International launched the Plasma Registry Drive which led to successful registry matches for four COVID-19 patients. 

For more information on Sewa International’s efforts to support communities nationwide during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit https://sewausa.org/covid-19.  

Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based, humanitarian, nonprofit service organization.  Founded in 2003, Sewa strives to serve humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, or nationality.  Sewa’s development programs focus on family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education. 

For more information on Sewa International and its activities, please visit www.sewausa.org.

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.

Among its other accolades, Sewa International has been recognized by Charity Navigator – the premier nonprofit rating agency – as the number five among the “10 Highly Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions.” Sewa has for the last three years continuously scored the topmost-rated 4-star from Charity Navigator, and has earned perfect scores for its Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency.

    

India’s Consul General in Houston, Aseem Mahajan (second from right), and Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum (fourth from right), were present when protective gear was distributed to San Jacinto Sheriff officials. 

Sewa International Houston Chapter Distributes 30,000 Masks to First Responders

Houston, Tx (April 26. 2020): Sewa International’s Houston Chapter donated 30,000 N95, KN95 and 3ply masks and 20,000 ounces of hand sanitizer on Saturday, April 25  to first responders such as healthcare workers, police officers, fire fighters, and hospital staff in an invitation-only drive-through event  as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts. The PPE distribution drive was from 11 am but vehicles started lining up from 9 am itself, stretching for more than half-a-mile long in two lanes by the time distribution started at 11 am, indicating the dire need of PPE's in the Houston area. 

Vehicles lined up in two lanes ready to pick up the masks and sanitizers

Dr Randeep Suneja was one of the doctors who acknowledged this effort: "Thanks to Sewa International for providing free masks and sanitizers to physicians in the Houston area including our practice. Sewa is doing an incredible job! Keep up the good work!"

Amity Home Health, a Houston area home health agency was there too, and expressed their thanks to Sewa: "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sewa International USA for their much needed distribution of masks and sanitizers to healthcare professionals in the Houston area. Kudos to your humanitarian efforts and tireless volunteers who helped make this project a reality. Thank you!"

“Not all angels have wings. Thank you Sewa International," posted Health Choice Clinic folks on social media. “It is our mission to support people on the frontline in our fight against COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with personal protection gear (PPE) to stay safe. Our physicians, nurses, healthcare workers, fire fighters and police officers are putting their lives on the line to protect our country against the pandemic and we thank them,” said Sewa International Houston Chapter President Gitesh Desai.

 Councilman Edward Pollard and Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum addressing the media at the distribution venue

“We distributed the protective gear to about 100 agencies including county officials and the Sheriff’s Department from the Houston area and received a tremendous response to and appreciation of the drive. About 20 volunteers and a few key donors made this event possible. We plan to continue this drive every week until the situation improves,” said Mr. Desai.

India’s Consul General in Houston Aseem Mahajan, Houston City Council Members, Councilwoman Martha Castex-Tatum from District K, and Councilman Edward Pollard from District J were present during the drive and helped distribute masks.

In another event, Sewa volunteers also distributed meals to Harris County’s Public Health Department’s Katy Testing Center located in Katy, TX. Sewa International operates one of its eight COVID-19 helplines from Houston and provides non-medical advice and information to the people to address COVID-19 related issues. 

 About Sewa International

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith based, Indian American nonprofit organization, has extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations having responded to 24 disasters in the US and abroad. In 2017, after Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area, Sewa volunteers helped in the rescue of nearly 700 people, and have served thousands of affected families since then through their case management service. Sewa raised over $3 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery, Sewa continues to rebuild houses, and, greenhouses that serve as a means of livelihood. Sewa International has also rendered relief in the wake of hurricane Maria in 2018 and Hurricane Imelda in 2019. Sewa teams in the San Francisco Bay Area continue to build and donate tiny homes for those rendered homeless in California Camp Fire of November 2018.