Phoenix, February 14 – On February 11, 2012, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, New York, was the guest of honor at the annual Akshaya Patra Foundation Food for Education benefit event in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
Speaking to over 200 guests, Ambassdor Puri remarked, “When we look at development needs of countries, no matter which way we look at it, it is about education. We have to ensure that children go to school, are motivated, and that they stay in school. We must make the young generation of India productive and that is what this evening is about. That is why we have all gathered here together.”

Akshaya Patra, one of the largest NGO run mid day school meal programs in the world, leverages technology to deliver freshly prepared nutritious meals to 1.3 million underprivileged children in over 9000 schools across 10 states of India through 21 kitchens, daily. A public-private partnership it cost Akshaya Patra $15 to feed a child for an entire academic year. After reaching its initial goal of feeding one million children each school day, Akshaya Patra’s next milestone is to serve 5 million children daily by 2020.

Introducing Akshaya Patra to the invited guests, Dr. Jagdish Patel, Chair of the Akshaya Patra USA Phoenix Chapter said, “The Akshaya Patra mission is quite simple. We know that the most effective way to break the cycle of poverty is through education. If a child’s basic needs of food are not met, learning cannot be a priority. Akshaya Patra helps children refocus on education by providing healthy nutritious meals while in school.”

During the Q&A session the crowd was thoroughly engaged as Desh Deshpande, Chairman of the Akshaya Patra USA, and Madhu Sridhar, President and CEO of Alshaya Patra USA, focused on the nutrition, operational efficiency and distribution network of Akshaya Patra which they said quite often is missing in NGOs.

The primary focus of the event was to raise awareness and funds for Akshaya Patra and its unique and innovative program for fighting hunger and promoting education simultaneously. The benefit was attended by key community leaders, business executives and eminent change agents committed to unlock these children from the vicious and perpetual cycle of poverty and determined to closing the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Inspired by Ambassdor Puri’s words, the residents of Phoenix responded generously with an impressive $81,000 to further the mission of Akshaya Patra and to expand its already astounding program.

 “We are touched by the generous support of the Phoenix community to help build this program of highest relevance for the bottom of the pyramid. Akshaya Patra is an inspiring movement that is bringing smiles of hope to the deserving children in India,” said Madhu Sridhar, President and CEO of Akshaya Patra USA.

For more information about Akshaya Patra, please visit www.foodforeducation.org .