A Sikh charitable organisation based in New Jersey organised a communal feast, known as 'langar', providing complimentary meals nationwide.
According to a statement released on Friday, the organisation 'Let's Share a Meal' engaged over 700 volunteers who distributed vegetarian meals to more than 10,000 people across 80 locations in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
"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," a key organiser of the event Onkar Singh told news agency PTI.
According to him, the organisation has provided over 1 million meals throughout the United States since its establishment.
We are trying to teach our children the core values of our religion, including peace, harmony, and the principle of Oneness—an idea that extends beyond Sikhs to embrace all of humanity, Onkar said.
"The world is one community, and nobody should be hungry or unequal. We are proud that over 700 volunteers, including many from the broader American community, have come together to support this cause," he added.
The organisation now distributes 20,000 meals yearly, a significant increase from the initial 1,500 meals served in its first year.
"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," another volunteer, Harleen Kaur said.