Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Ill-Health, and Homelessness

Project HEAL (Healthy Eating and Living) was initiated in the summer of 2018 to help break the cycle of poverty, ill-health, and homelessness by providing healthy, hearty, plant-based dinners to those in need. Ill-health and poverty share a devastating link and are major contributors to homelessness.

Approximately 41 million Americans struggle with hunger, roughly equal to those officially living in poverty. There are an estimated 553,742 people in the United States experiencing homelessness on a given night, according to the most recent national point-in-time estimate (January 2017). Poverty is only one of the many obstacles that prevent someone from coming out of homelessness.

Plant-based meals offer exceptional nutrition, rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that bolster health. Healthful vegan diets are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other conditions.

Adolescents raised on plant-based diets often find it easier to maintain a healthy weight and experience fewer issues with acne, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems compared to their peers who consume animal products.

Since May 2018, Project HEAL has provided thousands of healthy lunches and dinners to guests at soup kitchens and shelters.

Our meals are meticulously prepared to offer complete, balanced nutrition, emphasizing clean ingredients free from eggs, meat, honey, whey, dairy, and dairy products.

• ● Greater Boston area, Massachusetts
• ● Rhode Island
• ● Connecticut
• ● San Francisco, CA – approximately 300 wholesome meals each week
• ● Seattle, WA – monthly Sandwich Service with 700+ peanut butter and fruit preserve sandwiches
• ● New Jersey
• ● Pennsylvania
• ● Dallas, TX
• ● India – diabetes prevention focus

Promoting Health Through Plant-Based Nutrition

In India, type-2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, posing a significant health challenge. To address this, Project HEAL collaborates with diabetologists and physicians to encourage patients to adopt a strictly plant-based diet, drawing on successful studies conducted in the USA.

Sankara's ambassador, Shri Arun Bhardwaj, is India's leading international ultra-marathon runner and a dedicated plant-based diet advocate. In October 2019, he embarked on the Sankara Run, covering over 250 kilometers across rural Tamil Nadu. During this nine-day journey, after receiving blessings from His Holiness Shri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Sri Matam in Chennai, Arun visited villages and schools, sharing his experiences and inspiring communities to embrace active, plant-based lifestyles.

Throughout the run, coordinated with local Hindu Mission Hospitals, Arun addressed over 15,000 students and 250 police officers, emphasizing the importance of physical activity, mental health, and positive attitudes. He also engaged in tree-planting initiatives and distributed educational materials highlighting the significance of regular health screenings for early detection of diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart conditions. The event garnered extensive media coverage, amplifying the message of health and wellness to thousands, especially in rural Tamil Nadu.

We look forward to more opportunities for Arun Bhardwaj to spread the message of health and wellness worldwide.

Launched in the summer of 2018, Project HEAL Boston began by providing 200 plant-based meals monthly at the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors and volunteers, we have expanded our reach, now delivering home-cooked, nutritious, plant-based meals to eight local shelters:

• ● South Middlesex Opportunity Council — Worcester Shelter
• ● Our Father's House Inc., Fitchburg, MA
• ● Shadows Shelter — Ashland, MA
• ● Roland's House — Marlboro, MA
• ● Lowell Transitional Living Center, Lowell, MA
• ● East Boston Community Soup Kitchen, Boston, MA
• ● Abby's House, Worcester, MA
• ● Community Care Alliance Woonsocket Homeless Shelter, Woonsocket, RI

Our dedicated team of volunteers, comprising both adults and children, prepares fresh, organic, hot, plant-based meals for these shelters. Our diverse menus range from soups, pasta, and fresh green salads to fruit salads and various international cuisines, all crafted to provide wholesome, plant-powered nourishment to those in need.

In San Francisco, Project HEAL (Healthy Eating and Living) is dedicated to serving nutritious, plant-based meals to guests at the Martin De Porres House of Hospitality. With the generous support of our donors, we provide approximately 300 wholesome meals each week, aiming to promote health and well-being among underserved populations.

Launched in August 2019, Project HEAL Seattle is dedicated to serving fresh, homemade, plant-based meals to individuals in need across the region. Our goal is to support and uplift underserved communities by offering nutritious, high-quality food prepared with care and compassion.

• ● Sophia's Way Women's Day and Emergency Shelters — Bellevue
• ● Sophia's Way Women's Shelter at Helen's Place — Kirkland
• ● Congregation for the Homeless Men’s Shelter — Bellevue
• ● Seattle's Gospel Union Men's Shelter — Seattle
• ● Hope Place Women's Shelter — Seattle
• ● Seattle's Gospel Union Search & Rescue Team — Burien
• ● North Bethlehem Day Center / Family Shelter

Project HEAL Seattle actively involves young volunteers in its mission. Through our monthly Sandwich Service, children help prepare and distribute over 700 peanut butter and fruit preserve sandwiches for Seattle’s Gospel Union Search and Rescue team. This initiative not only provides nourishment to those in need but also instills a strong sense of community service in young minds.

Our Sankara Teens team plays a crucial role in expanding our efforts by preparing and delivering monthly home-cooked, plant-based meals to guests at Teen Feed, Seattle; organizing donation drives for essential supplies like water and clothing; and assembling 200 peanut butter and preserve sandwiches for the Union Gospel Mission’s Search and Rescue Team.

In these challenging times, we express our profound gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and all healthcare professionals on the front lines, tirelessly aiding those affected by COVID-19.

Project HEAL has been instrumental in providing thousands of plant-based meals to local shelters and soup kitchens in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and St. Louis. To date, our volunteers and donors have served over 30,000 nutritious meals across America, with more than half delivered since the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Due to current health protocols, many shelters now accept food only from commercial kitchens. In response, Sankara collaborates with local restaurants to prepare and package plant-based meals professionally for our guests.

To learn more or get involved with Project HEAL, please contact us at heal@giftofhealth.us