Keeping A Promise To The Area School Districts

Edited by Lakshmi Kondubhatla

It is an annual tradition for Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) to kick off the summer with Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt (BMBB), a joint event with Jewish Community Center.

At BMBB, they celebrate the power of various cultures through dance while also raising money for school supplies for their annual backpacking event.

HC4A provides school supplies to economically disadvantaged children by partnering with the local school districts of Manor, Austin and Del Valle.

In addition, they provide school supplies to other organizations such as Share the Will Foundation, Greater Love Baptist Church, Dow Spring Proud and Asian Families Support Services of Austin.

“Do you know how heartbreaking it is to tell the schools that we’ve been serving for 12 years that we cannot provide the school supplies and support [the students]?” Harish Kotecha said.

However, the tide turned when a few key supporters and donors encouraged the board to not back down and continue pursuing donations.

An email plea to the donors allowed people to open up their hearts, and HC4A quickly raised the needed money to provide school supplies to 1,400 underprivileged children this year!

“It was a joyous moment to call back these schools and convey to them that we are indeed able to provide school supplies, “ Kotecha said.

“It was the satisfaction you get from keeping a promise.”

This organization works closely with LISD to support the backpack food program at various schools, which provides packaged food items to low-income kids for the weekends.

School supplies are also provided annually both at LISD Schools and through Hindu Charities for America.

Each year they provide four scholarships at Austin Community College, which provides a two-year degree to single mothers and a means to support their families.

D.M. Pest Control, which has sponsored HC4A events and provided services through silent auction, is a family owned & operated business that has been serving the Central Texas area for over 25 years.

They provide a healthy and safe means to maintain a pest-free environment in homes and businesses.

Successfully impose their credence, On innocents and the ignorants, They customize them to be zealots, By shutting their budding thought process.

(arunsunderraj@gmail.com)

This year, they will also be supporting the African American Youth Harvest Foundation that strives to enhance the quality of life for African American and low-income youth and families in the Austin area.

Unfortunately, due to logistical reasons, HC4A had to cancel this annual opportunity to empower young children with education.

Two notable sponsors that played an indispensable role in resuming the backpacking event were Sai Charities of Austin and D.M. Pest Control.

Sai Charities of Austin that supports the education and nourishment of disadvantaged kids, both in the Austin community and in India.

The school supplies packing event on August 6th at 1:00 pm at Shalom Austin (JCC), 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731.

More information will be available on our website with volunteering opportunities.