In a powerful demonstration of community spirit and cross-border compassion, nearly 400 philanthropists, business leaders, civic changemakers, and dedicated supporters gathered at the Boston Marriott Burlington for the annual Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Boston Gala — raising approximately $1 million to fuel school meal programs and expand educational access for children across India.
A Night of Purpose, Connection, and Generosity
The evening was more than a fundraiser — it was a celebration of shared humanity. Guests from across New England came together not just to write checks, but to bear witness to the transformative power of a single meal in a child’s life.
“It was a truly heartwarming evening, filled with genuine affection and connection,” said Desh Deshpande, Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation. “I am always moved by how the Boston community comes together year after year to support school-going children in India, helping them access education and break the cycle of poverty.”
The gala featured a fireside chat-style keynote between Deshpande and special guest Vinita Gupta, whose personal reflections on leadership, resilience, and purpose deeply resonated with attendees. The evening was further elevated by a stirring musical performance by Shirish Nimgaonkar, adding warmth and cultural richness to an already memorable night.
About Akshaya Patra Foundation USA — Turning Meals Into Futures
Founded on the belief that no child should go to school hungry, Akshaya Patra Foundation USA supports one of the world’s largest school meal programs — a mission that has, quite literally, changed millions of lives.
Every single school day, the Foundation delivers over 2.35 million hot, nutritious meals to children across more than 24,000 government schools in India through a network of centralized, state-of-the-art kitchens. To date, the organization has served a staggering 5 billion+ meals globally — a milestone that places it among the most impactful humanitarian nutrition programs in the world.
The Foundation’s work is driven by a simple but profound insight: hunger is the single biggest barrier to education. When children are hungry, they cannot concentrate. When they cannot concentrate, they fall behind. When they fall behind, they drop out. A nutritious mid-day meal interrupts this cycle — drawing children into classrooms, keeping them there, and giving them the cognitive fuel they need to thrive.
More Than a Meal — A Comprehensive Approach to Child Wellbeing
Akshaya Patra’s impact stretches far beyond the lunch line. The Foundation runs a suite of programs designed to support children at every stage of their development:
Mid-Day Meal Program — The flagship initiative serving 2.35 million+ children every school day with hot, nutritionally balanced meals that support cognitive development and encourage school attendance.
Morning Nutrition Program — Approximately 800,000 breakfast meals are served daily, giving students a healthy, energized start before classes begin.
Anganwadi Feeding Program — Critical nutrition for infants aged 0–6 years, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers, combating early-stage malnutrition that can have lifelong consequences.
AVSAR Scholarship Program — Going beyond food, this initiative provides financial assistance to students from marginalized communities pursuing post-secondary education, helping reduce dropout rates after Class 10.
Food Recovery & Emergency Relief — Leveraging its kitchen infrastructure, the Foundation also responds to natural disasters and emergencies, distributing fresh meals and food relief kits to communities in crisis.
As stated on their website, apusa.org, the organization’s mission is clear: “We turn hunger into learning, one school meal at a time.”
Boston’s Growing Role in a Global Movement
The Boston Chapter has emerged as one of the Foundation’s most vibrant and high-performing chapters in the United States. The gala continues to grow in scale and ambition each year, drawing civic leaders, entrepreneurs, youth volunteers, and long-time supporters who are united by a common belief — that geography should never determine a child’s potential.
The 2025 gala recognized the extraordinary contributions of the Boston Chapter’s leadership team and volunteers, including:
Dr. Manju Sheth · Rajeev Jain · Samantha Ganglani · Yoshika Sherring · Ajita Bhat · Nidhi Singhal · Bela Chandhok · Venkat Kolluri · Neena Grover · Rakesh Kamdar, and many others whose behind-the-scenes dedication made the evening possible.
Organizers emphasized that the gala is not just an annual fundraiser — it is a growing civic institution that reflects the Boston community’s deep commitment to global equity and the belief that every child deserves the right to learn.
The Numbers That Define Impact
| Metric | Achievement |
| Children fed daily | 2.35 Million+ |
| Schools covered | 24,000+ |
| Total meals served (global) | 5 Billion+ |
| Boston Gala 2025 funds raised | ~$1 Million |
| Attendees at 2025 Gala | ~400 |
How You Can Be Part of the Mission
The momentum from the Boston Gala is a reminder that collective action works. Akshaya Patra Foundation USA offers multiple ways for individuals, families, and corporations to get involved:
- Donate — Even a small contribution feeds a child for days. Visit apusa.org/donate
- Volunteer — Join your local chapter and support events, fundraising, and outreach.
- Become a Youth Ambassador — A leadership program for students to grow empathy, civic engagement, and service skills.
- Corporate Partnerships — Matching gifts, payroll giving, and cause marketing opportunities for companies that want to champion a world-class cause.
- Fundraise — Start your own peer-to-peer fundraiser and rally your network at give.apusa.org
Looking Ahead
With $1 million raised in a single evening, the Boston Chapter has once again set the bar for what a motivated, values-driven community can achieve. Each dollar raised translates directly into meals served, school days attended, and futures unlocked for children who might otherwise have none.
As Desh Deshpande reflected, the evening was made even more special by the inspiration of guests like Vinita Gupta — a reminder that the stories we tell, the lives we share, and the causes we champion together have the power to ripple far beyond any single room.
For millions of children in India, the Boston Gala is not just a charity event. It is breakfast. It is lunch. It is school. It is hope.
For more information about Akshaya Patra Foundation USA, their programs, upcoming events, and ways to get involved, visit apusa.org.
Media Contact: contact@apusa.org | +1 (781) 438-3090
