I have heard and read about the Akshaya Patra Foundation.Their mid-day program is a very noble step towards the development of India.I except a lot more in future from this non-profit organization....
I have seen quite a few charities, NGO and similar organisations throughout my life, but If I have to Pick Just One of my Favourite Charity , It will be Akshaya Patra. Not only the area of work they are involved into but the shear Efficiency and Involvement from the volunteers it brings into the work is mind blowing.
I became aware of AP organization while co-leading a project for middle school kids (including my daughter) as part of Lego League competition. AP staff in Boston office is very professional and were very helpful during this project. Our goal was to expose kids to a charitable organization which they can relate and be an ambassador for the same in the community. I had chance to visit AP kitchen in Baroda, India during our visit. I was very impressed with the kitchen's activities - a finely run operation to meet local needs. I am pleased to be associated with such a wonderful organization and would encourage others to do so.
Review from Guidestar
This organization provides hope for millions of poverty-stricken children every day. By feeding lunch to the children, they become successful students who can later become succesful professionals. Every detail in this large operation is thought of. It is really quite amazing. From the immaculate cleanliness in the kitchens to the creative technology that is used, Akshaya Patra never fails to impress me.
Review from Guidestar
One day i got a mail mail from my colleague, a small brief about Akshaya Patra. It sounded intresting hence i logged on to their website for more info, I was impressed. Same day i called up the AKP office and i said i wanna meet someone in person to discuss more. So next day a lady from AKP visited me and explained me more about AKP. She also invited me to see the kitchen. So i visited the AKP kitchen next day along with some of my friends. I was really flat after seeing their Centralized kitchen. It was Mind blowing. Cooking meals for 1 lakh children in less than 5 hours time. Then we had been taken to a near by primary school. The children gave us a warm welcome smile. We were speaking to the children about their studies and AKP food. I hear some children saying "We come to school only b'cos of AKP food". The bell rings for Lunch. Children run get their plates and form a line. We served the food and it was an awesome experience. We also got an opportunity to taste the food along with the children. After tasting the food i felt that children are really lucky to eat such a hot nutritious meal tasty wholesome meal. Hats off to AKP. Then when discussing with the teachers we came to know that for most of the children this is the only meal they eat in a day. Almost in tears. That is when i decided that i will do my best to support AKP as much as possible. I take this opportunity to thank AKP and their staffs for doing such a fabulous work. Keep Rocking and we will very soon see a developed India by educating children.
One fine day I had seen a Blue van with lots of pictures of children. I could find the name The Akshaya Patra Foundation in the van. Out of inquisitiveness I quickly jotted down the website address and checked it as soon as I came in front of the computer. After reading about the work the organization is doing for the underprivileged strata of the society I was really impressed and I called them up in the toll free number. A gentle man received the call and answered all my questions patiently. I still wanted to see in real whether they were really doing whatever they have claimed. I asked them whether I could see the operations myself and I was readily thrown an invitation by them. They asked me for a date when I could come down early in the morning at 6 am to see the centralized kitchen operations and thereafter view a presentation and then take a visit to the school to see then having the lunch. I was very delighted by this and I decided to pay them a visit. I discussed this with my friends we came on the next weekend as a group of 6 people. We became so impressed in that one day that we have enrolled ourselves as lifetime donors and volunteers. Its great to be associated with such a huge mission. At lease we are doing something for the society in a small way through Akshaya Patra.