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Sikh nonprofit serves thousands free Thanksgiving meals across US
The Thanksgiving meal drive is part of LSM's broader mission, which has seen the organization serve over 1 million meals across the US in the past 12 years.
Volunteers. / Snapsindia/Mohammed Jaffer
Let’s Share a Meal (LSM), a nonprofit led by the Sikh community, marked Thanksgiving this year by preparing and delivering over 10,000 vegetarian meals across 80 locations in five states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
More than 700 volunteers came together to support the initiative, which reached homeless shelters, senior residences, and soup kitchens. The Thanksgiving meal drive is part of LSM's broader mission, which has seen the organization serve over 1 million meals across the US in the past 12 years.
"Let’s Share a Meal was inspired by the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, who established the concept of Langar, or community kitchen," said a key organizer of the event. "This tradition is built on the values of selfless service and equality — feeding the hungry without discrimination, regardless of their race, religion, or background."
The meals featured freshly prepared vegetarian dishes, a hallmark of the Sikh community’s Langar tradition. Volunteers from various backgrounds, including members of the broader American community, participated in cooking, packaging, and delivering meals.
Meal prepration and people eating langar. / Snapsindia/Mohammed JafferSingh, one of the organizers, highlighted the spiritual significance of the effort, "We are trying to teach our children the core values of our religion, which include peace, harmony, and Oneness. Oneness is not just for Sikhs but for all of humanity. The world is one community, and nobody should be hungry or unequal."
Harleen Kaur, a long-time volunteer, reflected on the program's growth,“I have been part of this incredible effort for over 15 years, and I am so grateful to see how it has grown. Every year, more and more people — volunteers and donors alike — come together to make this possible.”
From its modest beginning serving 1,500 meals in its first year, LSM now distributes more than 20,000 meals annually, with plans to expand further in the coming years. The success of LSM's US programs has inspired similar efforts in countries like India, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
"Our Langar serves as a beacon of hope and unity, emphasizing humanity and equality across all boundaries," Singh said. "It is a reminder that we are all human beings, and we should treat each other with care and respect, regardless of caste, creed, or gender. This is the true spirit of Thanksgiving."
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