Start of funding for the Ghaziabad kitchen – $10.5 million

Uttar Pradesh (UP), the most densely populated state in India, is home to 200 million people, out of which 30% of the population lives below the poverty line.  Poverty reduction efforts have been fairly slow in this part of the country, with the gap between the rich and poor widening significantly in recent years.

Akshaya Patra Foundation currently operates 4 kitchens in UP with feeding capacities exceeding 200,000 children every day.  However, there is still much to be done.  With the goal of eliminating classroom hunger and encouraging attendance, Akshaya Patra has now set its sights on building a kitchen in one of Uttar Pradesh’s most well-known cities, Ghaziabad.

Ghaziabad, sometimes referred to as the ‘Gateway of UP’, is a large and planned industrial city, well-connected by roads and railways.  However, with female literacy rates still significantly behind that for males; increasing population rates and pollution at an all-time high, there is a strong need for timely & critical interventions to ensure that children are provided with ample opportunities to succeed.

This is why we are excited to announce that we are building a state-of-the-art facility in 2023, with the capacity to feed 100,000 children, every day, across 500 government schools in and around Ghaziabad.  

And we are more excited to announce that we are raising funds for this kitchen with support from long-time champions of our cause, Adish & Asha Jain.  After visiting Ghaziabad, Adish & Asha Jain were so moved that they generously pledged $1 million to go towards the provision of meals and construction of our kitchen!  Of the kitchen they said, “we are looking forward to closely working with [Askhaya Patra] in developing a program that would build on midday meals to provide quality education and holistic development of the children.”

The total cost to construct the kitchen & provide meals is $10.5 million and the Uttar Pradesh government has provided $3 million for the land & construction.  We are currently seeking committed supporters to help us reach our goal of raising $6.5 million to complete the construction and provide meals to thousands of children all across Ghaziabad!  

Community is at the heart of what we do.  By supporting us, you won’t just nourish the dreams of children, rather you will provide meaningful opportunities for the residents of Ghaziabad; sustainable income to farmers in the region and uplift an entire community through the power of just one meal.