Help-A-School Foundation
Annadanam
Offering of Food
The concept of Annadanam, translated as food offering or giving a meal, carries profound meaning. The term "Annadānam" is a composite of two elements - 'Annam,' representing food, and 'dānam,' indicating the act of giving or donating. Within the diverse landscape of charitable giving, Annadānam assumes a distinctive role and is hailed as the 'Mahadānam' – the greatest donation. Annadanam began in 1999 at Sri Narayani Peedam and has since extended to local schools, shelters for children and adults with special needs or disabilities, and local government-run orphanages.
A person who has only enough for themselves can offer a handful of food to another living being in this world. Sharing that tiny bit of food can actually feed many small creatures in this world – ants, birds, and other living beings. This is annadanam (offering food). Feeding one thousand human beings is not the only way to provide annadanam: making any living being happy is annadanam. Even keeping aside one handful of food for another is also danam
—Sri Sakthi Amma
Six million people annually visit Sri Narayani Peedam from India and around the world, and each one is welcomed with a complimentary meal, without exceptions.
In the dining hall in Sripuram, visitors enjoy a sit-down lunch every day from 12-3 pm when the temple is fully operational. Additionally, prasadam (blessed food) is served daily from 8 am to 8 pm at no cost.
On average, 8,000-10,000 individuals partake in these complimentary meals daily. Moreover, on significant festival days, the number of meals served per day surpasses 25,000. More than 3 million meals are provided absolutely free of cost each year, and this number continues to grow.
Sri Sakthi Amma's environmental mission is evident in the sustainable practices of the Annalaya and Annadanam. Following Ayurvedic principles, nutrient-rich meals are served on banana leaves and later composted through the Exnora recycling center to minimize waste. Food preparation is conducted on an industrial scale, utilizing the latest and best machinery available. Fueled by solar energy, the kitchen prepares a tonne of rice daily for guests. Biogas, a combination of food waste and cow dung, is utilized for cooking South Indian dishes.
Why is Annadanam essential?
Every soul is a drop from the same ocean. Every soul is connected to their physical body. When the physical body feels hunger, the harmony of the mind and soul is disrupted. When you feed a person, they will feel satisfied and happy. When the body is satisfied, the soul is satisfied. It is only by feeding a person that one can truly satisfy them. This unique form of charity, unlike any other, holds the power to truly satisfy an individual. When someone else is happy, you will also feel happy because we all come from the same Divinity.
-—Sri Sakthi Amma
Behind the scenes, a dedicated staff of over 80 individuals ensures the smooth functioning of the Annalaya and Annadanam. On a typical day, an expenditure of $2500-$3000 is incurred for food, including rice, fresh vegetables, and spices. The annual budget for Annadanam at the Narayani Peedam exceeds approximately $1,350,000, reflecting the scale and impact of this benevolent initiative. Annadanam embodies the spirit of selfless giving, nourishing not just bodies but also souls, and upholding the principles of compassion and interconnectedness.
