Chinmaya Mission SA wins Changemakers Award for Nourish to Flourish project

The initiative has reported the distribution of more than 528,934 meals, including 27,095 meals delivered directly to vulnerable households, with its feeding operations reaching approximately 60,000 meals monthly. RAJESH JANTILAL

Chinmaya Mission South Africa Nourish to Flourish (N2F) feeding project has received the prestigious Changemakers Award in the 2026 Pioneers in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) awards programme, organised by the New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF).

Operating through the Chinmaya Annapoorna kitchen in Chatsworth, the project prepares and

distributes nutritious meals to disadvantaged schoolchildren, vulnerable families, elderly, and communities experiencing socioeconomic hardship.

The initiative has reported the distribution of more than 528,934 meals, including 27,095 meals

delivered directly to vulnerable households, with its feeding operations reaching approximately 60,000 meals monthly.

The recognition celebrates the extraordinary contribution of a humanitarian initiative that has

transformed the simple act of providing a meal into a powerful movement of compassion, volunteerism, social solidarity and human dignity.

The virtual awards ceremony was held on Wednesday.

“For the Chinmaya Mission, this recognition is an affirmation that compassion, when translated into organised and sustained action, can transcend geographical, religious and cultural boundaries,” said Pavan Maharaj, a trustee of the Chinmaya Mission.

He said the project has grown from feeding hungry children to inspiring global change.

“The award is particularly significant as it places a South African faith-inspired community initiative on an international platform that celebrates innovative responses to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.”

The Journalists and Writers Foundation, an international civil society organisation based in New York, works to advance a culture of peace, human rights, social inclusion and sustainable development through dialogue, collaboration and partnerships.

Projects were assessed by an international jury against four principal criteria: innovation,

stakeholder engagement, scope and impact. The awards recognise not merely good intentions but practical initiatives that produce meaningful and sustainable change in communities.

“At the heart of this international recognition is Nourish to Flourish, a humanitarian initiative guided by Pujya Swami Abhedananda, Spiritual Head of Chinmaya Mission South Africa.

“Rooted in the ancient Indian philosophy of Seva, or selfless service, the initiative addresses one of South Africa’s most persistent challenges: hunger and food insecurity,” Maharaj added.

He said the programme has extended its reach through partnerships with schools, community organisations, welfare institutions, donors and volunteers, ensuring that assistance reaches

people irrespective of race, religion, language or cultural background.

“In 2025, the project also partnered with the POST newspaper through its Adopt a Child initiative, encouraging community members to contribute towards providing nutritious school meals to vulnerable children.

“Such partnerships demonstrate how humanitarian organisations, businesses, the media and ordinary citizens can collaborate to address pressing social challenges.”

Transforming compassion into collective action 

Maharaj said one of the distinguishing features of the Nourish to Flourish project is its remarkable spirit of volunteerism.

He said behind the thousands of meals distributed are dedicated individuals who contribute their time, skills, financial resources and personal energy to serving others.

“From preparing ingredients and cooking meals to packaging food and delivering it to communities, volunteers embody the philosophy that service to humanity is among the highest expressions of spirituality.

“The project demonstrates that religious institutions can play an important role in addressing social and economic inequalities, not by limiting their work to their own communities, but by extending compassion to society at large.

“It is an inspiring example of how faith can become a bridge rather than a barrier, bringing

together people from different backgrounds in pursuit of a shared humanitarian purpose,” he added.

Maharaj said at a time when poverty, unemployment, inequality and food insecurity continue to affect millions of South Africans, the project offers a powerful reminder that meaningful solutions can emerge from within communities themselves.

He said the award also challenges society to rethink the meaning of development.

“The Changemakers Award is a fitting tribute to the vision and leadership of Pujya Swami

Abhedananda, the commitment of the Nourish to Flourish team, the generosity of donors and the selfless dedication of countless volunteers.

“It is equally a tribute to every individual who has contributed towards preparing, funding, transporting or distributing a meal.

“Human birth is fulfilled only when it expresses Godliness. God manifests in the world as giving, loving and embracing all. 

“Nourish to Flourish is not just a project only, it is the Mother Ganga of compassion who wants to wipe away all poverty from SA so that no soul sleeps hungry.

“Unless SA is free from hunger, we will not sit quietly. Let us take bath in this Ganga by serving and loving through nourishing the less privileged. This award was offered at the feet of Master Pujya Swami Chinmayananda who taught us to live to sacrifice, surrender and serve,” Maharaj added.