Sikhcess feeds the homeless: Difference between revisions

From SikhiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary
Line 26: Line 26:
In 2002, while at a conference in Chicago attended by many successful and prominent Sikh entrepreneurs, Singh was struck with the idea that maybe he could shift young men away from gangs if he could spark their enthusiasm and imagination.
In 2002, while at a conference in Chicago attended by many successful and prominent Sikh entrepreneurs, Singh was struck with the idea that maybe he could shift young men away from gangs if he could spark their enthusiasm and imagination.


''“I thought maybe if I could get young people involved in something good they might become more compassionate and not be attracted to a life of crime,”'' says the father of two, an 11-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter.
''“I thought maybe if I could get young people involved in something good they might become more compassionate and not be attracted to a life of crime,”'' says the father of two.


Based on the principles preached by [[Guru Nanak]] — who challenged local temples to feed anyone who entered, regardless of religion, race or social standing — Singh decided to gather a small group together and head to Vancouver’s inner city.
Based on the principles preached by [[Guru Nanak]] — who challenged local temples to feed anyone who entered, regardless of religion, race or social standing — Singh decided to gather a small group together and head to Vancouver’s inner city.
Line 33: Line 33:


''“In December 2006, we started with a small effort to feed a couple of hundred. … We were truly ignorant of how big the need really was,”'' he says. ''“We put together packages containing freshly cooked vegetarian wraps, bottles of water or boxed fruit juices, cookies and other desserts.”''
''“In December 2006, we started with a small effort to feed a couple of hundred. … We were truly ignorant of how big the need really was,”'' he says. ''“We put together packages containing freshly cooked vegetarian wraps, bottles of water or boxed fruit juices, cookies and other desserts.”''
The impact of his grassroots program astonished him. ''“I spoke to a former McGill University professor, who ended up on the streets because he became severely addicted to alcohol, who reminded me that no one chooses to live on the street or chooses to become drug-addicted,”'' Singh says, visibly moved.
''“They are there because of circumstances that happened in their lives.”'' Singh formally launched Sikhcess in January 2007. Within months, the non-profit organization embarked on an even more aggressive campaign to feed the homeless; the goal was to distribute 15,000 to 20,000 packages in Vancouver’s poorest postal code within the first year of Sikhcess’s existence. With the tremendous support of the Sikh community, Sikhcess exceeded its goal.
''“Last year, more than 20,000 packages were handed to people in the Downtown Eastside,”'' Singh says. ''“We now have between 50 to 60 volunteers, primarily young people, on our roster, and at any given event there are about 20.”''
In less than two years, this ''“Vancouver-born and burgeoning”'' initiative spread across North and South America, into Europe and beyond and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. ''“We are now in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the Caribbean and we are looking into Africa,” he says. “These efforts work only because it’s caught fire and ignited a flame in people.”''
Bhopal doesn’t kid himself that he’s changing the whole gang mentality. But he does believe that if you give young people something that resonates with them, they start thinking less about themselves and more about others — and that they will make better choices in life.


''“My hope is that it becomes an avenue for kids — without politics entering into it — to come out and join us and see the difference it really makes in the life of a homeless person. It can’t help but change you,”'' says Singh.
''“My hope is that it becomes an avenue for kids — without politics entering into it — to come out and join us and see the difference it really makes in the life of a homeless person. It can’t help but change you,”'' says Singh.
The man who has started a worldwide phenomenon is extremely reluctant to talk about himself. Singh does not see himself as a hero, just as a concerned citizen who lives by the teachings of his faith.
''“I honestly think I just got a lucky break,”'' he says. ''“We are where we are by virtue of good (or bad) things that happen to us. What we do with our blessings is up to us.”''
The non-profit organization does not accept cash or monetary donations. Every month, a group of volunteers meets in a different temple first thing in the morning to prepare the steaming pots of lentils, rice and beans along with drinks and desserts to be distributed.


=='Feed the Homeless' Campaign==
=='Feed the Homeless' Campaign==

Revision as of 09:10, 8 April 2008

Sikhcess in action

Sikhcess, a community-service organization dedicated to promoting the basic Sikh principles of public service (Seva) and equality, announced on March 9, 2008 that their volunteers around the world had successfully surpassed internal estimates and distributed more than 42,000 meals to the homeless and needy last Saturday, March 1st, the largest-ever initiative undertaken by the non-profit organization.

The principle of selfless service called Seva and the distribution of free food called Langar are a gift to the world from the founder prophet of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak. The first Sikh Guru was born in 1469 in Punjab (in the north of the sub-continent of India) and was the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs. All Sikhs are encouraged by their Gurus to perform Seva or selfless community service. This is not only important for community relations but is also invaluable for the moral uplifting of the person.

Langar or "free kitchen open to all" was started by Guru Nanak and is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of langar expresses the ethics of sharing, sense of community, inclusiveness and the oneness of all humankind. The Guru Granth Sahib confirms that "..the Light of God is in all hearts." (sggs 282)

"We owe the success of this campaign to the outpouring of support we've received from numerous Sikh Gurdwaras (temples), food donors, and volunteers. Above all, in keeping with the Sikh spirit of inclusion of all regardless of religion or color, I'm most grateful for the efforts our volunteers have made to reach out to groups outside the Sikh community to solicit the support of Christian churches and active participation of followers of all faiths, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and others," stated Mr. Amit Singh, Executive Director of Sikhcess.

"I'm proud to announce that all of our volunteers have worked hard to collectively make this campaign a resounding success." On Saturday, March 1st, thousands of Sikhcess volunteers rallied the generous assistance of donors and supporters with coordinated efforts in 30 cities throughout four continents, delivering much-needed meals to tens of thousands of homeless and displaced persons on countless street-corners and shelters in many cities in United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore and Malaysia.

Already, Sikhcess volunteers are working towards additional 'Feed the Homeless' campaigns in many other cities. Please visit www.sikhcess.com to learn more about the organisation and how you can make a difference by volunteering and/or donating to future campaigns.

How did it begin?

Sikhcess' Jatinder Singh

It started with a simple wish: For young Indo-Canadian men to aspire to be the best they can be.

Sickened by senseless gang slayings and the allure of what Jatinder Singh calls “bling bling,” the 41-year-old came up with the idea of inviting young teens to help those less fortunate.

“I’ve seen this escalation of kids in my community emulating [negative] role models,” explains Singh, a Vancouver-based entrepreneur. “As a consequence, they weren’t necessarily examples of outstanding citizens. … There weren’t the type of people for my four-year-old son (at the time) to look up to.”

In 2002, while at a conference in Chicago attended by many successful and prominent Sikh entrepreneurs, Singh was struck with the idea that maybe he could shift young men away from gangs if he could spark their enthusiasm and imagination.

“I thought maybe if I could get young people involved in something good they might become more compassionate and not be attracted to a life of crime,” says the father of two.

Based on the principles preached by Guru Nanak — who challenged local temples to feed anyone who entered, regardless of religion, race or social standing — Singh decided to gather a small group together and head to Vancouver’s inner city.

One cold, wintry day they headed to the Downtown Eastside, where most of the population is made up of poor, destitute, marginalized and many drug-addicted people.

“In December 2006, we started with a small effort to feed a couple of hundred. … We were truly ignorant of how big the need really was,” he says. “We put together packages containing freshly cooked vegetarian wraps, bottles of water or boxed fruit juices, cookies and other desserts.”

“My hope is that it becomes an avenue for kids — without politics entering into it — to come out and join us and see the difference it really makes in the life of a homeless person. It can’t help but change you,” says Singh.

'Feed the Homeless' Campaign

Volunteer cooking free food

The Sikhcess 'Feed the Homeless' campaign works to address homeless hunger by taking 'Langar' (Free Community Kitchen) to those on the streets. To-date, the campaign has delivered more than 120,000 individual food packages to the homeless and needy in four continents across the globe. The Sikh institution of Langar was started by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. It is the only free kitchen of its kind in the world, collectively serving millions around the globe each year, regardless of gender, social standing, caste, color, religious affiliation, or beliefs. Through this ideal of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and oneness of all humankind.

Global and local inquiries for donations of food and supplies for distribution to the homeless should be directed to [email protected] or to Mr. Amit Singh at +1 248-990-1245.

Contact Information

  • Sikhcess
  • Amit Singh
  • Phone: +1 248-990-1245
  • email: [email protected]
  • website: www.sikhcess.com

See also


External links

The above article based on the following sites:

Retrieved from "https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Sikhcess_feeds_the_homeless&oldid=52333"