Akshaya Patra USA plans 13-city walkathon to fund school meals in India

Akshaya Patra Foundation USA will launch its first Walk to Feed Millions of Dreams on Aug. 16 across 13 U.S. cities, with every dollar raised funding school meals for children in India. Registration is free, and the event is timed to India's Independence Day weekend to rally families and diaspora communities around hunger and education.

Why it matters: - The walkathon turns a local weekend event into direct support for school meals in India. - Every dollar raised funds meals for children who might otherwise miss school because of hunger. - The event is designed to bring families and diaspora communities together around education access and child nutrition.

What happened: - The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA will hold its inaugural Walk to Feed Millions of Dreams on Sunday, Aug. 16. - The one-day walkathon will take place in 13 U.S. cities. - The event is timed to India's Independence Day weekend. - Registration is free and open now at the walkathon page.

The details: - Walkers will cover routes of about two to three miles at local parks and trails. - The walks are scheduled for the same morning across cities from Seattle to Miami. - Many participants are expected to be immigrants from India, along with families from each host community. - Capgemini and the Chetu Foundation are national presenting sponsors. - Walkers who raise $250 receive a walkathon T-shirt. - Fundraisers who raise $1,000 are recognized on the organization’s social media. - The event supports Akshaya Patra’s school meal program in India, which serves 2.35 million meals every school day. - The cost to feed one child for a full school year is $20, or about nine cents per meal.

Between the lines: - The timing on Independence Day weekend gives the campaign a patriotic frame for Indian diaspora donors. - The walkathon links a simple physical activity to a larger message: food can keep children in school long enough to learn. - Akshaya Patra uses the program as both a nutrition intervention and an education retention tool.

What's next: - Participants can join a city team, build personal fundraising pages and ask friends, family and coworkers to donate. - The organization will continue promoting the event through its channels and sponsor network ahead of Aug. 16. - The fundraiser aims to convert local participation into meals delivered in India after the event.

The bottom line: - Akshaya Patra USA is using a 13-city walkathon to turn community turnout into school lunches for children in India, one $20 gift at a time.