SURYA'S MILES FOR MEALS RAISES $75K FOR AKSHAYA PATRA SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
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CALHOUN, Ga. -- Surya achieved another milestone during its fourth annual 'Miles for Meals' campaign, reaching $75,000 in donations for Akshaya Patra, the world's largest NGO-run school lunch program. As a result of the fundraising effort, 5,000 school children living in northern India -- including children from the villages where Surya's 50,000-plus weaver community resides -- will receive daily hot lunches for a year. To help raise awareness for Akshaya Patra and the Miles for Meals campaign, 60 Surya employees participated in a half marathon in early October.
Sixty Surya employees participated in a half marathon in October to raise funds and awareness for Akshaya Patra.
In addition, Surya employees across the company raised funds through creative initiatives, including a pancake breakfast, international lunch, sale of hand-crafted items, raffles and themed contests. A number of Surya customers also donated to the campaign, including members of the company's customer loyalty program, Surya Rewards, who donated points earned in September to the campaign to feed an additional 335 children for a year. To date, Surya Rewards donations have helped to feed 1,230 school children.
"It is extremely gratifying, and humbling, to make it possible for so many children to not only receive access to daily nutritious meals but also reap the invaluable benefits of an education," said Satya Tiwari, president, Surya. "Hunger should never be a barrier to fulfilling one's potential and Akshaya Patra continues to do an amazing job in helping to reduce poverty and improve the lives of children and their families throughout rural India. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone who has contributed to this important cause."
Since its inception in 2012, Surya's Miles for Meals program has raised more than $215,000 for Akshaya Patra. The organization delivers a hot, nutritious midday meal to 1.5 million children daily, with the donor's share of just $15 feeding one child at school for an entire academic year.
"It takes so little to support a child who is hungry for an education and eager to make it in this world," added Emily Rosenbaum, CEO of Akshaya Patra USA. "The annual Miles for Meals campaign continues to exceed expectations, bringing us ever closer to our goal of ending childhood hunger. We are truly thankful for Surya's ongoing commitment to creating a brighter future for thousands of children and their families in India."