Over 400 supporters and well wishers gathered on Sunday October 6th for Seva Food Bank’s Kirtan Darbar (Sikh prayer ceremony) in Malton. It was held at the Seva’s newest location at 2832 Slough Street in Mississauga where the organization will be expanding their operations in the new year.
The Kirtan Darbar brought together donors, volunteers and community partners. “These are the very individuals that supported the Seva Food Bank through our first three years of existence,” said event organizer and board member Manraj Singh Pannu. “We’re very pleased to see everyone come out today to show their excitement and commitment to Seva’s plans for growth”.
The event featured several high profile local and international musicians performing kirtan (singing of Sikh hymns) including Bibi Guneet Kaur, Bhai Harpreet Singh, Bhai Sucha Singh, Bhai Jagjit Singh and Bhai Gurmeet Singh. Renowned kathavachak (Sikh lecturer) Bhai Gulzar Singh also addressed the audience with a poignant explanation on how Seva is bringing the concept of sarbat da bhalla (well being of all) to life.
Many local elected officials were in attendance including Federal Minister of State for Multiculturalism Tim Uppal, Provincial Municipal Affairs Minister Linda Jeffrey, MPP Vic Dhillon, MPP Jagmeet Singh, and Mississauga City Councillor Jim Tovey.
Renovations on the new space are scheduled to begin later this year. Before construction begins, on Saturday November 9th, the “Seva Spark: Night At The Site” gala will be held at actual new Malton location. “We are honoured and blessed to expand into Malton in the new year,” says board member, Amarpreet Kaur Ahluwalia. “While continuing to focus on food security, our new facility will also serve as a hub connecting community partners to address the issues of poverty reduction and economic renewal.”
The Seva Food Bank is an initiative of Sikhs Serving Canada, a registered not-for-profit organization whose mission is to positively impact local communities by acting on the basic Sikh tenets of sarbat da bhalla and seva (selfless service). Our existing location on Wolfedale Rd services up to 400 families each month, distributing over 25,000 pounds of food.
Official high-resolution photographs can be downloaded here.
All photographs are available for viewing on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Kulvir Singh Gill | Board Chair | Sikhs Serving Canada
communications@sevafoodbank.com |www.sevafoodbank.com