GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – This isn’t the first time that SEWA International has been to Gridley to donate supplies and help during this time of need.

The non-profit service group SEWA International has organized to help provide supplies to those in need in our area; be it due to the Coronavirus and resulting food insecurities or economic hardships, to aid in recovery from wildfires.

Members of the Bay Area Chapter passed through Gridley recently to donate goods for those in need. Joint Coordinator for the Bay Area Chapter Srilatha Janardan shares that a few months prior, SEWA had organized a large food drive for those affected by COVID. That day the two husband and wife teams happened to be delivering 22 lb. boxes of produce comprised of vegetables and fruits, alongside the school supplies kits for the Camp Fire Distribution Center, via the Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Their next stop was Oroville, where fellow Joint Coordinator Nivedidha Jain said that they would be donating school supply kits for “about 300 kids.” When the pandemic first started, Jain says that “we donated about 700 grocery bags and hygiene bags to Oroville and then Concow.” SEWA has also been working for months with volunteers, including children, traveling to donate their time and funding to the building of tiny homes in Oroville for those affected by wildfire.

Of SEWA’s dedication and work in our area, chamber President Lynne Spencer said, “They’ve helped us so much. They have kids that they have involved, and the kids come and helped stock the shelves (of the Distribution Center) with their donations. They’ve been wonderful.”

The Sanskrit word and the group’s founding principle, SEWA, “stands for service above the self,” says Ajith Jain. To learn more about SEWA International, visit their webpage at sewusa.org.