IALI donated $30k for Interfaith Nutrition Network

The India Association of Long Island (IALI) completed its 15th year of fundraising for humanitarian community service projects. Their 15th year presentation took place recently at the Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen, Hempstead, NY.

This year annual Diwali Food Drive collection was over $ 30,000 in cash and two truckloads of food items, for The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), which operates 19 soup kitchens, 3 emergency shelters and a long term housing program in Long Island. More than 5,500 people are fed each week. Diwali Food Drive donors included many generous community members, corporate sponsors, merchants, and partner organizations Telugu Literary Cultural Association (TLCA), Art of Living Foundation, Arya Samaj & Sai Mandir.

The chairman for these community service projects, Dr. Kishore Kuncham, welcomed the dignitaries, thanked the sponsors and other community members, for their generosity and rising to the occasion in the most difficult economic times. Dr. Kuncham in his remarks stated that Diwali, the festival of lights celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Light dispels darkness and when the darkness within us is dispelled through the light of wisdom, the good wins over the evil in us.

President of IALI Dr. Gupta congratulated Dr. Kuncham for his efforts and leadership heading this project and doubling the fundraising in less than three years and also for bringing other organizations together for this service project. Dr. Kuncham requested Mr. Peter Bheddah & Mrs. Dorothy Bheddah to light the first lamp for their continued support to the INN and being a Grand Sponsor of this annual project, followed by the dignitaries and sponsors.

In addition, with the support of many physicians from the community, more than $30,000 worth of medicines was donated to RotaCare, which provides free medical care to people in need. IALI youth also collected $1,000 in cash, blankets and gift baskets which were provided to support the children living in foster care in Nassau County.

Attending the reception were the Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony J. Santino, Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Mr. Jim Reed, Former Deputy Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, Nassau County, IALI President Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Mr. Shiva Muthiki, TLCA President, Dr. Dev Ratnam, Trustee INN, and community members.

Jean Kelly, The INN's executive director, thanked the India Association of Long Island and the entire community for bringing this Diwali light to the lives of those who are less fortunate, and especially in the most difficult economic times. The student volunteers were presented with certificate of appreciation for their volunteer work.

Major sponsors included Bheddah family, Nyayapathi family, Broadridge Financial Solutions (Mr. Raghava Nyayapathi), QK Healthcare Inc.(Mr. Sal Laduca & Mr. Kumar Arumugam), Ajay Choudhary (ATM Pizza, Inc.), Dr. Ratnam & friends, Mr.Diku Mody & family, Aramalla family, Patcha family, Kuncham family, Darisi family & Gajulapalli family. Mrs. Suda Sharma, food drive committee members and volunteers were thanked for their outstanding support and dedication.