COMMUNITY SEVA INC

Very well organized. No hassles! I volunteered for prep work at Community Seva. It is not a big place, preparing and serving meal for homeless population in Bay Area. When my wife and I arrived, we were received by the host Margaret energetically, and we were on our task quickly over next few minutes. The instructions were super clear. We, as a team, could complete the work early and could leave early. As a vegetarian, I could choose to handle the cutting of veggies.

Volunteering for a meaningful cause was truly a rewarding experience for me.

It was a great experience working with Padmaja, Anil and others

I have been volunteering with Community Seva for the last 5-6 years and have always found it to be a very fulfilling experience. Cooking and serving food to the needy and hungry is a great mission which directly impacts a person's day and life. Food is so fundamental and something many of us take so much for granted. We just open the fridge, our pantry or an app and decide what we "feel" like eating for each meal, without ever stopping to give it any thought. This experience teaches you never to think about it so casually but with profound gratitude to being on this side where we are so fortunate.
The volunteering experience is seamless even for anyone new - the core team is very welcoming, friendly and appreciative of all the help they get towards this very noble cause. There is no hierarchy, no politics, no opinions - just a common cause that unites the humanity in us all. The kitchen is big and clean and well provided for - makes the whole task at hand very easy and almost effortless.
I highly encourage people to participate and volunteer in any way they can - it will change you forever.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at Community Seva. I felt very welcome to be at the place and the whole team was very helpful in getting me oriented to work that needs to be done. I also felt the positive impact of the service to 100's of unhoused people as everyone seemed to contribute time and effort with their hearts. As a volunteer I experienced a sense of belonging with likeminded people who have serving for the causes for a long time. Much gratitude to Community Seva for providing care to our community in a compassionate way.

I had the privilege to volunteer at Community Seva last week along with 6 other volunteers. We together prepped, cooked and boxed hot lunches for 221 people in a little over 2 hours. Chitra, our site manager made it look like a walk in the park, guiding and prioritizing various steps. With her guidance we cooked three different dishes and then packed them in boxes for distribution. Nathan, Founder also dropped in to assist us.

I felt wonderful and a sense of accomplishment for having having prepared hot healthy good looking food that will be had by people in a short while. It was like clock work.

Few things that I observed/understood in the process:
a. It's a self managed organization completely run and managed by like minded volunteers. Nathan has put together a team of volunteers to make this run like clock work. (And they are always looking for more volunteers)
b. There is thought behind the menu and its ingredients to ensure that the recipient gets the recommended/required nutrients. (I was told that the menu and ingredients is decided with the help of a Nutritionist to ensure that the meal is wholesome and contains all required nutrients :-) )
c. Love in preparing the food and keeping the recipient in mind. The way the food is prepped and presented is like it is done in a restaurant, including the garnishing. For example Pasta with a dash of cheddar cheese on top to make it presentable on top of being nutritious. Color combination of the various dishes in the box to make it pleasing to eye. It's a treat to the eyes.

Overall it's amazing to see the purpose driven team. Thanks to Community Seva Team for the opportunity. They also have an option where you can bring your team from work on a Friday morning for volunteering which can double up as a team building exercise for a cause. If you have the time please volunteer. It's time well spent for sure.

I had great experience volunteering at the new kitchen of the Community Seva on January 2, 2025. The kitchen was clean, spacious, maintained good hygiene by having volunteers wear gloves, head masks, face masks and aprons. Margret who was in charge that day was very welcoming and explained to all volunteers what they were supposed to do. So, a well organized operation . Thanks to Management , especially to Shreya for keeping us in loop through emails , welcoming and reminding us of upcoming volunteering appointments . Great work. Keep it up. Yash Mehra

'I had a great time in volunteering with Community Seva this past Sunday. The team members were very welcoming, and inclusive. There were clear directions of who does what, and the team comes to give a helping hand if needed. We all came together and worked collaboratively towards the common goal. Thank you.’

Volunteered one day and it was great, I enjoyed taking part in the food preparation for the homeless. It is a streamlined operation.

The air is filled with a quiet hum of fulfillment as I reflect on the day’s (13-Dec-2024) efforts. Preparing and packing lunch for 150 unhoused individuals wasn’t just a task. It was an act of care, a connection to humanity. Each food item, was cooked packed with intention, knowing it would bring sustenance to someone in need.

The process, though tiring at moments, was deeply grounding. Hands working alongside others, the rhythm of chopping and stirring, and the shared smiles as we packed the last bag. It all created a sense of unity and purpose. As the meals came together, so did a realization: this small gesture, though fleeting, could provide comfort, nourishment, and a reminder to someone that they are seen and valued.

Now, with the bags delivered, there’s a quiet joy in knowing that the effort has made a difference, however small. It’s not just satisfaction but also gratitude—for the ability to give, for the resources to prepare, and for the lesson that kindness is a gift that nourishes both giver and receiver.

Clean facility , well organized and great service to community

I recently had the privilege of volunteering alongside my colleagues to prepare Thanksgiving meals for unhoused individuals, and the experience has a lasting impression. The event was led by an incredible team of organizers (Nathan, Lax, Chitra... to name a few) who demonstrated exceptional coordination and care. Every aspect, from the high-quality facilities to the premium food ingredients, was meticulously planned and approved, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for volunteers and recipients alike. Witnessing the effort and heart that went into preparing these meals reminded me how acts of kindness can truly make a difference.

The event was a meaningful way to give back, and it was deeply touching to be part of something that brings hope and dignity to those in need. I wholeheartedly encourage more people to participate in similar initiatives. Giving your time to such a cause is incredibly rewarding.

I look forward to returning to contribute again. Together, we can make a difference.

I volunteered in community Seva this Thanksgiving to help prepare meals for the unsheltered. It feels so I recently had the opportunity to volunteer with Community Seva in preparing meals for the unsheltered, and it was truly a humbling and amazing experience. The founding members have made the process extremely easy, organized and convenient for volunteering. ensuring that every volunteer feels valued and contributes meaningfully to their mission. I loved the camaraderie and the feeling to contribute to a noble cause, with a sense of purpose.

I wanted to call out Nathan’s dedication to making a difference, and it’s heartwarming to see how much he cares for the volunteers convenience and safety. He brought tea for us and hearing some of the stories from him was really inspiring. I highly recommend volunteering with Community Seva to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their community while being part of a compassionate and driven team. Looking forward to lot more opportunities to serve in future

I'd like to thank Community Seva and Lax for giving us the opportunity to play a small part in helping our community. We were part of the 11/23 hot meal prep event, and it was extremely well organized and streamlined. Best part was that it didn't feel like much effort given the cause and the team's positivity. Glad to be part of this organization that strives to make a difference in the people's lives. Look forward to many such events in the future!

I spent a day in the kitchen with the Community Seva Group, helping prepare food boxes for the homeless in the Bay Area. The experience was deeply impactful, showcasing how this small group achieves remarkable results through sheer human effort to address a challenging issue faced by many in the valley. The passion and dedication of the Board members, who lead this initiative every weekend, drawing in volunteers from various organizations to prepare and deliver meals to the most vulnerable in our society, fills me with optimism about our future.

Amazing experience at Community Seva which is doing a great job to feed the homeless people across bay area. It was very satisfying work and felt additional energy working with great volunteers/environment.

I volunteered with Community Seva Inc. on a Saturday to help prep ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless. The experience was simple yet meaningful. The team was welcoming and organized, and they made it easy for everyone to contribute in their own way.

Even though I only worked on prepping, it was satisfying to know that my small effort would help provide a warm meal for someone in need. The focus on serving the community is clear, and I appreciate how they bring people together for such an important cause.

I’m glad I could be a part of it and would recommend anyone looking to give back to join them for a day.

First of all, I didn't do this for anyone. I did it for myself.
I always have a feeling to help others. I was presented with this opportunity, and I was very happy to grab it and work for it. The team provided me with a very vibrant environment to work with. I would be happy to work with them in future.

Recently I had an opportunity along with my colleagues to work in a community Kitchen managed by Community Seva. It was an awesome experience for me and team ads e prepared food and packed into 150 lunch boxes.

Nathan was himself at the event and was very inspiring as he kicked us off, and then all the work was very well coordinated (by Chitra). The facility was very clean and well maintained and operations were very well organized with supplies and equipment in top order. It was very easy for the team (some of them first timers including me) to contribute.

I could see that there was strong intention and purpose in the Community Seva team towards helping the needy folks in the local communities. And I wish them well and looking forward to work more with the team.

Have been volunteering in Community Seva since 2016! It's a very respectful environment and very gratifying to spend few hours to give back to the community.

We participated in preparing dinner for over 300 unhoused brothers and sisters in the amazing commercial kitchen facility of Community Seva- it was a smooth and seamless process right from sign up to volunteering.
The coordinator for the dinner seva was warm and welcoming. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this wonderful opportunity to give back to the local community- the team is extremely appreciative of all contributions- time is valued as much as monetary contributions. I am sure to volunteer and donate to Community Seva as I believe their impact is profound and extremely meaningful to those who need it most ������

One of the best organizations to support and be a part of. Completely service oriented and run by volunteers. Every dollar goes directly to helping people in the community. Amazing teamwork and leadership. One must be proud of be a part of this organization.

We volunteered for meal prep last sunday and we were amazed with the passion and care that was put in to prepare the food for 400 people.

My first interaction with Community Seva was when I was the volunteer coordinator at Apple for the Apple India Association in 2018. As part of a fund-raising effort for another charity, I enrolled eight volunteers to both cook in their kitchen and to feed the homeless in the adjacent shelter. For me, it was an enriching experience both in terms of learning how to cook as a community and to see the joy in the eyes of those that we fed that day. We all need a kindle to fire up our motivation and for me that day made me better understand what it meant to be “giving back to the community”. Seva signifies selfless service performed with no expectation of any return.

Since that day, I organized a few more Community Seva volunteer events at Apple and in every case each volunteer felt energized and happy to be a part of the experience. What is it that lights up our hearts in giving our time and energy to those whom we don’t even know or will never interact with? After leaving Apple at the end of 2021, I have continued to volunteer with Community Seva on a regular basis mainly with their Sunday cooking for the homeless in Oakland shelters.

I intrinsically feel that we all harbor good thoughts and kindness in our hearts and want to make the world a better place. What is difficult however is to translate that into action. And in this regard, one must give amazing kudos to Nathan Ganeshan in building this organization from ground-up over the past 11 years. You can read more about his journey here - https://communityseva.org/history-founder. He is making such a difference in the lives of not only those who receive the food and other distributed items but also in the lives of the volunteers enlisted in this cause. Community Seva also distributes outdoor essentials like blankets, backpacks with winter essentials, hygiene kits, feminine kits, shower & laundry facilities, shoes and socks and recently started providing temporary hotel stay for vulnerable people with children.

Let me give you some sense of my Sunday cooking experiences. Waking up at 5:15 am to be at the kitchen before 6 am is anathema to my sleeping habits but I somehow am able to spring out of bed in time. In most of my stints, I end up having to taking care of cracking ~200 eggs and making scrambled eggs. What is the best way to crack an egg? I started out cracking it against the edge of the sink or the bowl. Then someone told me that Google said the best way was to crack against a flat surface. And then a fellow volunteer told me the best way was to use one egg to crack another egg. I did a Chat-GPT4o query on this and it told me the most efficient way was to use two-handed cracking to speed up the process - not exactly sure how to do that unless one is ambidextrous. I am thinking whether we can build a robotic arm to do this more efficiently. But eggs are only one component of the experience - there is such joy and camaraderie with the other cooks in creating the complete breakfast of oatmeal, sausages, hash browns and other savories. Cooking as a community does serve up its own enjoyable pleasures of interesting conversation and social engagement.

So unabashedly let me ask you to reach out and contribute in some way to Community Seva - http://www.communityseva.org . Be it through volunteering at their kitchen, serving dinner to the homeless, being involved in the distribution of essentials, or just making a charitable contribution. You will feel warmth and joy in your heart. You can also learn more about them at https://www.linkedin.com/company/communityseva/

Let me end with a snippet from the poet Emily Dickinson
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”

Having volunteered with other organizations in the past, I aimed to volunteer with organizations that benefit the socio-economically disadvantaged this year. Community Seva did just that: I assisted in several breakfast sevas and one dinner seva where it was a collaborative environment, and we were all like-minded people working for the same cause. It was rewarding that my assistance to the seva helped people that needed it the most. The meals and dishes were great to make together with other people, and the directions were easy to follow. If I get the chance, I hope to volunteer many more times with this organization and impact my community. As Nelson Mandela once said, "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." That's exactly what seva is - serving one's community without expectations of receiving something back. I recommend volunteering with this organization to anybody that wants to make a difference.

Having been a tiny part of Community Seva for over six years, I can only buy attest how this organization has grown manifolds and yet stuck to its core principles of charity through working at grassroot level and spurring change at several arenas - be it local, state, national or even international! Extremely proud to be associated with this organization that keeps giving.

As a core volunteer, I can witness the hard work and effort of planning events. The group has developed over the last decade, and it conducts fantastic, valuable work by focusing on the needs of the homeless and providing them with services and products to make their lives more comfortable. Whether organizing, cooking, and serving warm, delicious meals or assembling hygiene kits, volunteers serve with kindness and compassion for people in need.

I have been an active volunteer of Community Seva since inception. The organization has grown steadily over the past decade and does wonderful, meaningful work by focusing on the needs of the unhoused and providing them with services and items to make their lives more comfortable. Whether it is planning, cooking and serving warm, delicious meals, distributing brand new, high-quality shoes, or packing hygiene kits, the volunteers serve with kindness, warmth, showing compassion and love towards those they serve. The organization has touched over 300,000 lives, with no full time employees on staff! This speaks to the dedication, drive, and kind heartedness of everyone involved in the work of Community Seva.

I had an opportunity to volunteer at the homeless shelter in San Jose, cook and serve dinner with the help of Seva. It was a humbling experience for me. So well organized , the founder takes personal interest in all the activities . The main team of volunteers were also very helpful. This opportunity helped me fill my soul. I am already looking forward to my next volunteering opportunity through Seva. Great job Nathan and team!

I worked with Seva to prepare dinner for two homeless shelters, and was able to serve the food we prepared to one shelter. Meal prep / clean-up / serving was very coordinated and organized, and I was well positioned to contribute effectively. My efforts were appreciated by shelter residents and felt important in light of the living situation of shelter residents. I would highly recommend others to give back to their community with Seva.

One of the best non-profit org. the founder takes personal interest in all the activities . Nice to see an org. directly working for needy people near you live ,where you can see the impact and where leakage of your contribution to other admin activities is near zero

A very well organized non profit with a great mission, leadership and dedicated teams of volunteers. Happy to be a part of the team. Its a joy to see the team beam with gratitude each time they serve the unhoused.

I've had the absolute joy of being part of Community Seva's incredible work for the unhoused community. Their distribution of high quality foods and essential supplies like blankets, tents, hygiene kits are so important and every single Community Seva volunteer offers service with kindness and humanity. When I volunteered with Community Seva, I was blown away by the warmth and compassion, thoughtfulness and professionalism of their myriad services! Highly recommended!

I recently had the privilege of serving food for the homeless through COMMUNITY SEVA INC, and it was a truly heartening experience. From the moment I arrived, I noticed the ample, tasty food that had been lovingly prepared - the food was soo good that some of them even came back for seconds! The team, especially Kavit Shah who coordinated everything, is a generous group genuinely devoted to giving back to society. Their efforts are a touching reminder that kindness and compassion still flourish. My two hours there have left a lasting impression, and I wholeheartedly recommend this nonprofit for those looking to contribute positively to the community."

Very well managed organization and team. From all the way to cooking and distributing food with a smile and helping the people in the community. Their dedication and commitment towards impacting the overall community wellness is very inspiring!

Myself and my son got the opportunity to be a part of the volunteering team to help out. It was such a gratifying n humble experience to us. Community Seva - we thank you for this rich experience. Hoping to get more opportunities to get involved with the selfless services they provide to those in need.

Rashmi and Pranav.

Thanks to Community Sewa for giving us the opportunity to serve. Community Sewa has honest & kind volunteers who care for the people!

It's very inspiring and heart warming to see all the great work by team Community Seva and the amazing leader Nathan. I have done a little bit of volunteering pre-pandemic and it was so gratifying. I have attended the luncheons and it's mind blowing to hear all the positive impact they make to our community. Hoping to get more opportunities to get involved with the selfless services they provide to those in need.

I recently heard about Community Seva through a friend of mine and decided to go to their luncheon with my friend. I met Nathan and many other volunteers at the event and was blown away by the impact they are making in the bay area for people in need. I heard the stories first hand of 2 people at the event who were homeless and how Community Seva helped them get back on their feet. And now I have decided to donate time by volunteering for this wonderful organizaiton regularly.

I have been volunteering with this selfless, amazing and dedicated organization more than 5 years. Community Seva team and volunteers are always available to serve and many locations. Team provide hot breakfast, lunch and dinner to homeless. Community Seva team drive 100+ mikes to deliver breakfast to the homeless shelters. Community Seva organization keep looking out for additional ways to serve like providing homeless with sleeping bags, warm jackets, solar chargers, and warm winter essentials in a backpack. This helped a lot in in winters and also during the pandemic.
Nathan and Seva family are so driven to help and serve and looking forward to volunteer and be part of this amazing team for a long time. Go Community Seva !!

I have been part of the Community Seva family for many years. The organization’s mission to serve the homeless is well supported by volunteers who commit their time in a selfless manner, and serve the homeless community with love and smile. Be it cooking in our kitchen in the early morning hours (or) distributing meals, winter backpacks braving the rain or cold, it is heartwarming to see the compassion and empathy shown by the volunteers. Through Community Seva, I have found meaningful ways to serve the homeless and also give back to the community. It is gratifying to see the smiles while supporting and helping the people in need.

I started volunteering at Community Seva since its inception in 2017 and well before that. The very first volunteering experience that I can remember was in downtown at James park with my family. It was a surreal experience being able to provide food to the less fortunate. After Community Seva was founded, I have been volunteering by helping out in the kitchen, loading groceries in the van, serving food in various shelters, handing out sleeping bags and hygiene kits. Every time I volunteer at Community Seva, I would always feel good because I was able to help out people in need and to be able to brighten their day.

I am looking forward to volunteer more with Community Seva in the future.

I have been volunteering with this amazing organization more than 5 years. They always provide hot breakfast, lunch and dinner to homeless. This organization also provided them with sleeping bags, warm jackets, solar chargers, and warm winter essentials in a backpack that helped them a lot through the pandemic. They also helped people staying in VTA parking lot and RV’s.

I am looking forward to do more volunteering with this organization in future

I volunteered post pandemic with Community Seva, I was amazed with the protocols the team is following in serving the homeless community is simply amazing.

The “care” the team exhibits is exceptional. That shows how much this organization care of the homeless individuals. I will be sure to volunteering again with this amazing organization

I have been volunteering with Community Seva for sometime; every time as I leave, I get the feeling of being connected to the society around me and a sense of purpose in life. I am always amazed by the meticulous planning and the care taken in preparing and delivering food to various home shelters, things work like clockwork!! There is care and attention in the quality of the food that is being prepared; a big thank you for the organizers of Community Seva, your efforts embody the spirit of what it means to really be the change you wish to see in the world. I am really proud to be part of this organization and looking forward for more opportunities.

I really appreciate that this organization found ways to work even through the pandemic. There were many more unhoused people due to job loss and they were living in trailer parks and cars parked in safe parking areas provided by the city, and even a VTA parking lot. I and my husband volunteered several times to deliver food to these parking lots. It was heartbreaking to see that there were senior citizens, people with health challenges, and little kids living under these conditions. They were extremely thankful to receive the food that we delivered. The organization also provided them with sleeping bags, jackets, solar chargers, and warm winter essentials that helped them a lot through the pandemic.

I am very inspired by the work Nathan and his team are doing at Community Seva. I am one of the volunteers who delivers food to 4 homeless shelters every sunday. I can see how happy they are when they receive the food trays. I was also there recently in one of the shelters dinner serving. This was a hot sunday in August and we surprised the people with icecreams. The happiness and gratitude on their faces was amazing to see.

Nathan is an inspiring leader, hard working and truly cares about the people in these shelters. Its great to be part of this community and help give back.

Just outstanding service to the community these folks do. I’ve been following the work they do for quite some time and they didn’t miss a beat even during Covid when the need was even greater.

Thanks to Nathan and all the volunteers for going out of the way to help the unhoused people in the Bay Area. Kudos to you all !!!

I had heard of community Seva about 7 years back but started my journey with Community Seva by volunteering at various capacities, about 3 years back. It has been a pleasure to be associated with a charity organization that extremely dedicated to their cause, very service oriented, respectful of the people they serve and the volunteers. Again, very grateful to be part of Community Seva.

So far my experience with Community Seva has been amazing!

I have had the chance of volunteering along side many other core members of the Community Seva team. Each and every one of them has shown utmost humility and are very dedicated towards the seva i.e serving as many people as possible.

One fine morning during a conversation with Nathan Ganeshan while in the breakfast cooking seva, I came to know he (Nathan, who is CEO of this non-profit) had cut-short his personal/business trip that he had been on just so he can be back on time for the Sunday Seva … because in his words “Seva comes first”.

Such is his and the entire team’s dedication towards the subject. As one may also find it on Community Seva’s webpage, the group does not only limit themselves to cooking and serving people at various shelters all across bay-area but also actively and timely donate the necessities like winter kit (during extreme cold weather), female hygiene kits, etc.

I am very humbled by the determination and dedication of this group to help and serve as many people as they can.

Kudos to the team!

I wanted to do something special in memory of my father. I decided to sponsor a meal at a homeless shelter through Community Seva. My family went to the shelter in San Jose and helped prepare and serve the meal. Other members of Community Sewa were present to guide us through the entire process. It was very well organized.
It was a very humbling experience to serve and interact with families who are struggling to meet their day to day needs. Community Seva is doing a wonderful job for this cause.

I got involved with Community Seva in 2018. I could not believe the sense of gratitude that I got in my 1st Seva , I kept wanting to go back for more Seva's. Every single time it was a beautiful fulfilling experience with the lead and all the volunteers . My whole family enjoys the Seva , we are waiting for the situation to get better and start volunteering again. Great respect to Nathan and Community Seva's core team members who still continue their service even at these unprecedented times . I follow the Seva facebook page and it brings a big smile to my face to see all the wonderful things the organisation is doing , be it supply of masks , smoothies on hot days and breakfast Seva inspite of fires and heat wave.

I have always admired the selfless service that Community Seva does for all the people who are completely less privileged & in the shelters. My experience with community Seva as a Volunteer few times has always been extremely gratifying & I always walk out of the shelter after the Seva with a sense of completeness & joy. The joy that is radiated by the peer group & core group of volunteers from Community Seva who inspire to be giving with utmost dedication & commitment! Im so glad I had the great opportunity to be part of such sevas & will definitely look forward for more opportunities to serve. Thank you to the founder & the entire Community Seva team for serving the community through their hardwork! Best wishes & kind regards, Bhuvana Venkatesh.

My volunteering experiences with Community Seva have been extremely positive. I volunteered to cook breakfast for a homeless shelter and was joined bright and early in the morning by a team of enthusiastic Community Seva volunteers. We had all the supplies we needed in the facility's kitchen, and everything ran like clockwork. It gave me a feeling of great satisfaction to be part of this effort and inspired me to participate in other events as well.

I moved to the Bay Area last year and was feeling really homesick and did not have much to do. This was when I came across the initiatives of Community Seva and was astounded by the work they do.

I volunteered thinking to attend one session of preparing lunch for one of the shelter homes and I can say that neither did I never look back, but I was completely exhilarated. The community had all the items ready to make and prepare the perfect lunch for the shelter home, and when I got there, we got into full swing. I never knew that something so generous could be done so fast, without even seeing time go by. In less than an hour, we catered a lunch for more than a hundred people, and this included around seven to eight dishes, alongside sweets and refreshment kits.

To see the joy in the eyes of the people living in the shelter homes was profound and ecstatic. I never looked back and did my best to attend more sessions that not only made a good day's work, but also seeing so many people happy, is something I could have never imagined, and it truly makes me happy to be a part of this organization that goes above and beyond in bringing a smile to thousands of faces.

This is a photo of one of my first sessions with Community Seva, with many more to come.

I came to know about Community Seva a few years back; sponsored a breakfast at a family shelter. Got the opportunity to help cook breakfast for unhoused mother’s and children. Moved by the experience started volunteering for cooking breakfast almost every Saturday with a group of zestful, selfless, dedicated volunteers. The fulfilling part was when we serve the food to the thankful people. The sense of gratitude and satisfaction we derive from this is immense.
So blessed to be part of Community Seva led by Nathan Ganesan, an amazing person helped by so many selfless, divine souls.

I've been associated with Community Seva since its inception. It truly has opened doors for me and to a large number of people to help the needy. When I was new to this country and was searching for avenues to give back to the community , I was thrilled to partner with Community Seva to help those in need. I like that I could use my passion in cooking as well . The experience I have gained cooking in large scale helps me for planning my house parties pretty well :-) now. The friendships I have acquired during volunteering with like minded people is something I cherish . Serving the needy is always a grounding feeling for me - makes me realize every single time - how much we are all blessed and how much more you can actually give . Thanks to Community Seva !

Community Seva is an exemplary non-profit organization with a lot of character. They not only work hard behind the scenes and do their part to solve world hunger, but also actively strive to gratify volunteers and their need for social engagement. This two pronged disposition is unique to Community Seva. The organization's founder Mr.Nathan Ganesan is a great human being who's awe inspiring in his own right. I would give it 6 starts if I could !

I have first volunteered through Community Seva (CS) few years ago after finding this organization over a Google search and that first experience with CS and its core volunteers selfless service towards Homeless really stuck to my mind and heart.

Community Seva and selfless volunteers of CS never rest from cooking and serving to homeless despite of the rain or shine, COVID or no COVID. It is always pleasure to work with CS volunteers, who are kind hearted and makes CS as a strong family with one focus "To Help Homeless" in whatever way possible and at times making impossible also possible (Ex: Selfless Service during COVID19)

Volunteering at Community Seva has been a fulfilling experience. It's not just run by a team of selfless but also motivated volunteers who truly mean to do what the organization stands for. It's a great opportunity to serve people and make a difference in the community that we live in. Haven't come across such a group of self driven individuals or the passion this community holds.
Happy to have got the opportunity to participate and be a part of the community.

I have been volunteering with Community Seva for more than 4 years during their breakfast, lunch and dinner devas. I look forward to the weekends where I work with the extremely dedicated volunteers and site managers. Together we cook delicious and healthy meals for people residing in the shelters including families with little children.
Volunteering with Community Seva has been a very rewarding experience in more than one way. My stress from the work week melts away when I meet the selfless site managers and volunteers. Community Seva makes optimum use of the resources made available to them. There are no overheads and every single penny of the donated dollar goes towards feeding the hungry. With new initiatives like the Shower seva, I am excited for Community Seva to grow into an organization that will contribute in a big way to the local community.

Kahlil Gibran said, 'Work is love made visible.' To me, that line is a testament to how much we gain, grow and offer through the work we do at Community Seva

It is the love with which every volunteer dedicates their time & skill to serve a hot plate of food & bring a smile on a homeless persons face

It is this consistent love that has helped Community Seva grow & reach higher heights year over year. It is this commitment to love & service that brings volunteers back week after week

I am one of the core volunteers at Community Seva. What started as a simple volunteering experience with them has become a regular weekend routine I look forward to in my otherwise mundane day to day life. It's not an exaggeration when I say our family plans our weekends ,travel plans etc. based on my commitments with Community Seva. There is no doubt the job is demanding -we have to put in a lot of effort week after week with planning, procuring and doing the massive cooking in the hot kitchens in the shelters.But the joy we get when we feed the hot scrumptious meals to hundreds of homeless individuals make us forget all our hard work.Not a week goes by without those people coming and thanking us for the Quality and quantity of the nutritious meal we provide. Way to go Community seva. I am really proud and feel blessed to be part of this wonderful organization whose only mission is to 'Feed the Hungry and Serve the Homeless'.

I have been involved with Community Seva since inception. First as a volunteer, and later as a board member. What makes this organization unique is the sheer passion of its founder and the incredible drive and big hearts of all the thousands of volunteers that it has attracted and retained over the past six years. In these busy times (especially in the SIlicon Valley), it is such a remarkable thing that weekend after weekend, Community Seva volunteers rise up at 4am and cook hot breakfasts and spend their weekend evenings cooking nutritious hot dinners to serve to the homeless. It is a delight to see children as young as 4 years old packing toothpaste into hygiene kits and to answer their questions about homelessness and how they can help those less fortunate!

As a board member, I have seen the organization evolve from inside out and can attest to the honesty, integrity and the sheer focus the entire leadership team has on making an impact on improving the lives of the homeless in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have much more to do and cannot think of a better team to do it with!

As site manager and volunteer for Community Seva, I feel privileged and immensely grateful for this opportunity to be part of a cause truly close to my heart. Homelessness in the bay area has sky-rocketed and it is growing day by day. Turning away from this problem due to fear, ignorance or simply not knowing what to do to help are no longer justifiable reasons to stay away from helping. Community Seva is that organization that connects kindhearted, generous, and compassionate volunteers with the most vulnerable, and needy folks in our community.

I got into Community Seva thinking I need to do my part for the community and help the less fortunate in a small way...However, right after my first experience cooking and serving, the happiness I felt was indescribable. I just knew I had to come back and do it again, and again, and again. Thanks to Community Seva, I have got out of my comfort zone and now doing what is most rewarding to me-serving the homeless and hungry and making this a permanent part of my life. I am eternally grateful to all my volunteer friends at Community Seva who inspire me to do more!

Community Seva is an organization working towards feeding the hungry and homeless people at various shelters in the Bay area. It also conducts other sevas such as mobile shower seva, backpacks, winter drives, carebags with hygiene kits.

It has a phenomenal team of volunteers that strives to fulfill it's mission with utmost respect and dedication, come rain or shine.. They are truly an inspiration. Their enthusiasm and camaraderie definitely rubs on you.

It gives me great pleasure to see the smile on the faces of our patrons when we serve them hot breakfast or dinner. I would like to thank Nathan and the team for allowing me to be a part of this mission.

I'm a site manager and volunteer at Community Seva. Being a part of this amazing organization and working with this close knit group of fellow Seva members plus volunteers, has been a very fulfilling, humble and life changing experience for me. Serving the homeless recharges your batteries....it makes you take a pause and appreciate the opportunities that we have been given in life.

At Community Seva we spend hours purchasing fresh groceries and preparing wholesome, nutritious and mouth watering dishes. Seeing the joy in the faces of the homeless when we serve them this food gives us instant gratification!

Thanks to Community Seva there has been a paradigm shift in my perception of homeless people. I no longer turn my face away when I see them holding a placard near the freeway exits and lights. Instead I look them in the eye, give them the benefit of the doubt and offer a sympathetic smile. I'm forever grateful to Community Seva for this change in me. Hope to be a part of this organization forever and hope to make a difference in our local community.

Community Seva truly cares about the people they serve. They are constantly finding new ways to help the homeless. Their dedication to their cause is shown through the numerous meals they serve every weekend, backpacks they fill with supplies, and fundraising and awareness events. Volunteering with them has truly opened my eyes to the problems those less fortunate than me face and encourages me to do my best to support the organization as well.

It's been a couple of years that I've been volunteering with this phenomenal organization. I've seen firsthand the dedication from the site managers in making sure that there is never an empty stomach in the homeless shelters they serve every weekend rain or shine. Believe me, It takes a lot of work to buy the supplies and cook from scratch, that too starting at 5.00am in the morning.

It is so heart warming to see the people thank us after serving food and say that is is their only time they get to eat fresh cooked food the entire week. Thank you Community Seva for giving me a chance to help the homeless in a small way.

I am a volunteer supporting social media activities for Community Seva. Unfortunately I do not get to actually cook and serve too often at the sevas due to health issues. I get to see all the pictures from the sevas and I hear stories from all the site managers about the feedback they get from the people being served at the shelters , heartwarming stories about how the food served is delicious and nutritious and how it’s such a blessing in their lives to eat something like that instead of cheap fast food. This always makes me happy and inspires me to write. I have had so many friends who have participated in these sevas and they love it so much that they always want to come back. My only wish is that at some point my health issues get solved and I can also regularly cook at the sevas.

I have been fortunate to be associated with this wonderful association. I am amazed at the devotion, dedication and more importantly, the right mindset of my fellow volunteers to serve the needy people in the Bay Area. Community Seva is run very efficiently by Nathan and his team.

Came to know of Community Seva through a friend of mine. Since the time I first volunteered I could not help look for opportunities to volunteer. On most weekends I start my Saturday morning at Community Seva. The best part is when you serve. Feel blessed to be associated with a group of selfless souls.

My friends and I had heard of Community Seva, but when we finally got to volunteer, it was such an eye opener.
We volunteered at a San Jose shelter for the homeless, under a team lead from Community Seva. The whole exercise was carried out so efficiently, yet cheerfully. The team lead brought the ingredients and gave us precise instructions - how and what to cook, and how and when to serve. Nathan dropped off some ice cream as a special treat for the residents.
The experience that followed is certainly one of the most memorable, for each one of us in the group. Among about 15 of us, our funds helped prepare and serve about 300 meals at five shelters in the Bay Area. We still have a hard time wrapping our head around that number.
We are so inspired by Nathan and his team of dedicated volunteers that we're determined to be part of this movement to help provide meals to the homeless.
Community Seva is doing such a great job and as more of us join them, I can't help hope for the ultimate - that maybe, just maybe there could be a solution to end hunger after all.

Community Seva is an amazing organization that has been such a huge learning experience for me as well as an great opportunity. I have learned so much about helping the homeless and taking time to think about others, while at the same time it also taught me basic skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. Community Seva has a heart warming cause that everyone should support and I will continue to contribute to this cause as much as possible.

Community Seva is an organization where everyone from leadership to its volunteers give their time and effort from their heart. I have volunteered many times with them and they make it so easy to come and volunteer. Meals are pre planned and groceries are done before volunteers show up. Food made is very hygienic and tasty. Everyone who comes to eat a meal leaves not only with a full tummy but with a smile on their faces.

Community Seva has been the source of phenomenally faithful volunteerism at HomeFirst providing healthy meals and dignified interaction to our homeless shelter guests. Volunteers are responsive, generous and fully committed to service. We at HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County have come to rely upon Community Seva throughout the year, year after year, and when needed for disaster response.
Stephanie Demos
Chief Development &Communications Officer

Community Seva has been a dedicated and very committed Volunteer Group with Abode Services Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter for many years.
Every month the SEVA team arrives to prepare and serve a delicious and well balanced dinner to the residents and staff at Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter. Not only do they provide a great meal but wonderful conversation and friendship to the residents.
A Special thank you to Nathan and his great team of volunteers, your commitment to volunteering with Abode Services is truly appreciated and the service you offer not only to Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter but to our Community. It is wonderful to see the participation from so many students on their team as they earn their community service-volunteer hours. We look forward to working with Community SEVA on more projects in the future. We greatly appreciate their commitment and help in making our work possible.

Jean Morgan
Community Outreach Director
Abode Services

Community Seva has been an integral part of providing food and supplies for the homeless people we serve. Several times a month Community Seva volunteers spend hours purchasing, preparing and serving meals to 250 homeless people. They go above and beyond, finding out what meals are most enjoyed and serve with generosity and compassion. They also collect donations several times a year, providing blankets, backpacks, gloves, hats and other items. When unexpected needs arise Community Seva can always be counted on. It is a joy to partner with Community Seva to provide for homeless people in our community.
-Renee Travers
Community Relations Manager
HomeFirst

Community Seva is the epitome of purpose-driven, gracious community service organization. Faithfully Community Seva volunteers have prepared and served delicious, nutritious meals to the guests in our shelters for homeless men, women and children. Their volunteers work hard, but most importantly give our guests the dignity and respect they deserve. In addition, Community Seva volunteers have donated blankets and items to keep our homeless neighbors protected from the harsh dangers of cold nights and days. This is a life-saving organization that HomeFirst is delighted to have been related to for years. Thank you, Community Seva!

Its been an an enriching and fulfilling experience to volunteer with Community Seva (CS). It is a very well run organization, that is meeting a critical need in our community to provide nourishing meals for underprivileged individuals in homeless shelters across the bay area. My husband, daughter and I have volunteered with CS over the past 3-4 years. Signing up to volunteer through the CS website is an easy and straightforward process. CS has assigned lead volunteers to specific shelters, who are onsite to procure/organize supplies and facilitate the preparation and serving of food to the shelter individuals. I would highly recommend Community Seva to adults and teens looking for opportunities to serve our community.

Community Seva offers volunteers a truly humbling opportunity to serve the many many unfortunate in our own communities. Try one service and your heart yearns for more. Nathan and team have created a great and meaningful organization and have made it easy for anyone to volunteer or donate.

I volunteered with this organization to cook and serve in a family shelter. It was a humbling experience seeing the families and especially kids. What struck me most was a volunteer talk about their struggle being homeless while young and how hard it is for these kids and it was their way of helping the community by cooking and serving..
The Community Seva folks who were in charge of the kitchen were professional and fun bunch . Their attitude reflected in the work they do and how they serve the people. I will definitely be sponsoring a Seva soon. Keep up the good work.

community Seva is the best place to help needy people.

Been a volunteer of this organization for close to three years, and the only thing that sticks out in common amongst the entire organization is the sheer dedication of each member. Serving a meal at a shelter takes some meticulous planning on the balanced nutritious menu, purchasing fresh & quality groceries and cooking and serving that involves following all the food handling and safety. The team at Community Seva excels in each of these areas. The core and the extended volunteer team uses their opportunity to serve with lot of sincerity and thoroughly enjoy what they are doing.

Last winter was a memorable one at Community Seva. With all the heavy rainfalls in California, many of the shelters were flooded with more residents. There were many make-shift shelters that were created to house temporary residents. At Community Seva, we understood the need and created winter backpacks that had essential supplies that included warm blankets, gloves, beanies, socks, essential care supplies and some dry food like cereal bars. Many of our kids were directly involved in packing these backpacks. We distributed the same in many of the shelters all the way from Sunnyvale to Gilroy and the way people felt and reacted when they got one of these backpacks is still something that I will always remember.

If you are donor looking to sponsor a local non-profit, you can be assured that your money will be put to good use at Community Seva. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities to serve your local community, then Community Seva is a great organization to be a part of. Give it a chance and be a part.

Really dedicated folks who are making a huge difference in the lives of the homeless people in bay area.

I've always wanted to give back to the community. Do my benevolence, but kids, work and a busy lifestyle didn't give me a chance to pursue that desire. Two years back, a colleague's husband asked me to help volunteer at a homeless shelter. I went there not knowing what a big turning point it would be for me. It was a breakfast event. We cooked menu items like pancakes, roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausages, and oatmeal. Cereal, milk, and fruit were also served. As a first time volunteer after the cooking was done, I was asked to help serve the people in the shelter. The smiles and varied emotions on individuals lining to get a plate full of breakfast shook my heart. After this, I sat in my car and started thinking about the times I complained to God about the things I couldn't have. Tears start flowing from my eyes, as I realized how unnecessary those complaints were. After all, I'm blessed to have a roof on my head and food on my plate every night. Not everyone around us is so fortunate.
A lot of the shelters for homeless that are privately or government funded lack hot and nutritious meals. As a volunteer for Community Seva, I visit various homeless shelters around the Bay area and cook and serve hot meals to homeless people. We also raise funds and distribute blankets, care bags and supplies to women, children and elderly in need. Where my effort might be very small, together with joining hands and spreading awareness towards this issue can help in saving the lives and well-being of thousands in need. When you hear a little child or elderly come to you and say "Thank You!" because she got a plate full of much needed delicious meal in a critical time of their life, that smile is worth waking up early in the morning and preparing a variety of dishes to share my good fortune with someone who is down on their luck.
I also take my kids with me to volunteer to family shelters so they can learn to give back. We try to keep celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries simple and use those funds to sponsor a meal when we can. I took a little step in my life to participate in lending a hand. If everyone who is fortunate to have a bed to sleep at night can play a little part, physically, monetarily or emotionally, we can tackle this ongoing issue. Let's open our hearts and make sure no one goes hungry or with out the basic necessities.

Being a part of this lovely Organization for close to 3 years and an amazing time and amazing experience every time we are in the Kitchen preparing food and serving the needy.

I have many stories that I can share but there is always one instance which is very close to my heart. We serve a family shelter in East Bay and we have 2 serving sides and on one side it is for family and their kids.

On one of the instances there was this mother with her 2 kids (Elder was a boy around 8 and the younger was a girl around 5 or 6). On that day we were serving chicken on the side along with some main course. This little girl liked the Chicken so much that she jumped out of her chair everytime and came and got only the chicken again and again (I think she should have come atlest 3 or 4 times). The main reason why this is close to my heart is that on that day the Chicken was made by me and in fact everyone liked the Chicken I made but this little girl made it all the more worth cooking for the entire shelter.

This little girl will ever remain in my heart forever and the cuteness in the way she asked for more and more chicken will always be close to my heart.

Though this is not something to cherish about when seeing a small girl being homeless, but the purpose of us being in the Bay Area and we doing this was justified by the small things we do to give back to the community.

Thanks
Vincent