Monthly CFR Member Highlight: Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Trust
We want to highlight the work and efforts of CFR donor and recipient organization, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Trust. This foundation is committed to helping families in need, a value deeply rooted in the Sikh faith. For this blog, we interviewed Aman Shergill, who began assembling and directing a team of devoted community volunteers for a program aiding families. The team was created shortly after Aman learned about the Community Food Rescue program at one of the weekly Montgomery County Food Council meetings in 2020.
We asked Aman the following questions to learn more about the work of GGSF.
How was your organization founded/what is its origin story?
“The free food program was initiated in April 2020 following the lockdown due to the pandemic. The need for such a program was discussed in a county interfaith education committee meeting, where concerns about food insecurity for local families were raised. The program gained traction when the local place of worship responded to an external email request for assistance.
The program has grown significantly since its inception. With the help of staff members and a strong team of volunteers, the program has achieved remarkable milestones. Over 400 volunteers have been mobilized to support the effort, which has resulted in packing more than half a million pounds of rice and beans and serving over a million freshly prepared vegetarian meals. On site MCPS school distributions at title one schools and more. The program is ongoing, providing biweekly food service to over 300 families, home deliveries, and additional support in the form of clothing and holiday gifts. Special treats are also offered during the grab-and-go events.”
How long has your organization been in operation?
“The food program along with other wrap around services has been going strong since April 2020, firstly as a response to the pandemic, but continued in response to the ongoing issue of food insecurity in the local community.”
What services (food or otherwise) does your organization provide?
“Our core services are freshly prepared vegetarian meals and non-perishable food items, delivered through a bi-weekly drive through. However, we have extended services to include, healthcare fairs, mobile dental clinics, blankets, clothes, back packs, vaccines, apartment set ups for the newcomers into Montgomery County, along with rides to medical appointments for expectant mothers.”
What is/has been your organization’s most memorable donation from Community Food Rescue, (CFR)?
“Two notable donations included fresh collard greens and a combination of cauliflower and broccoli. The collard greens, sourced from Tom’s farm, were enthusiastically received and slow cooked in a traditional Punjabi style, delicious! Around Thanksgiving, the program also distributed fresh cauliflower and broccoli, which we donated in foil pans, allowing families the flexibility to cook these vegetables at home according to their own preferences. These donations were particularly memorable because they provided variety and the opportunity for families to enjoy fresh produce that they may not often have access to or experience.”
Is there anything else you would like to share about your organization’s experience as part of the CFR network?
“The initiative has allowed me to connect with many new people and utilize the services of Community Food Rescue (CFR), highlighting the significant impact that can be made by repurposing fresh food that would otherwise be wasted.”
We are so grateful for Aman and the team at GGSF for their contribution to the CFR network. It is through the work of organizations like theirs that CFR is able to simultaneously address food insecurity and reduce food waste in Montgomery County.
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