As rising waters swallowed homes and temples, Braj Bhumi’s kitchen continues its service—bringing hot, nourishing meals and hope to families in need.
In September, the Yamuna River of Northern India overflowed its banks and swallowed entire neighborhoods of Vrindavan. Families were forced from their homes, children waded through contaminated waters, and waterborne illnesses spread quickly. Streets, temples, and livelihoods were submerged.
Amid this devastation, Braj Bhumi’s familiar light-blue three-wheeler and bustling food hall center continued serving hot, fresh, nourishing meals.
At 10 a.m., the rooftop kitchen buzzes with energy. “Chalo!” the cook calls as thirty 20-gallon barrels are maneuvered by strong men into the hall. Two long lines of people begin to form at the gate, eagerly waiting. Radha Dasi takes the driver’s seat, while her husband, Hare Krishna Das, and fellow volunteers climb into the back as the remaining six 20-gallon barrels are lowered by a pulley system into the waiting truck. Together, they weave through Vrindavan’s narrow alleys, greeted by cows, pilgrims, and families who excitedly await their arrival.
For Radha, this service is more than a daily duty—it is her life’s calling.
“Growing up, I would see commercials fundraising for hunger relief in Africa and Latin America, and I wanted to be part of something like that,” Radha recounted. “The reality of these charities is that a large percentage of the donations go to administration costs, leaving a very small portion for the people these organizations advocate for. It is a dream come true to live here and actively be a part of Braj Bhumi’s team. It is so genuine and pure.
“This has been my life now for seven years and I can attest that every single dollar that is given goes 100% directly to feeding thousands and every person serves out of love—not for pay.”
Braj Bhumi and its team serve in its sacred food hall from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm daily and goes out with the truck at least twice a day, rain or shine, serving up to 10,000 meals a day. The meals are no ordinary food relief. Each plate is cooked the same day with wholesome, nourishing ingredients—pure ghee, paneer, nuts, lentils, rice, seasonal vegetables, and date gur.
“We give these delicious and nutritious meals to one and all without discrimination,” Radha explains. “The widows, the vendors, the homeless, the police, the children—I’ve watched them grow up in front of my eyes. They have become like family. They do not forget the people who feed them when they are suffering from hunger.”
Even local authorities wave her truck through barricades, saying, “She is one of us. She is feeding our people.”
Now, as Vrindavan struggles to recover from devastating floods, the need is greater than ever. Families who lost homes and work are relying on Braj Bhumi not just for food, but for survival. Children from local communities have contracted cholera, dengue, typhoid, and other diseases caused by contaminated water, while parents search for stability amid uncertainty.
This fall season, Braj Bhumi is raising $5,000 to:
• Provide groceries for flood-affected families
• Support children’s medical bills for waterborne diseases
• Continue serving thousands of fresh, hot meals daily
Your gift makes an immediate difference. A donation of just $50 feeds a family of four for an entire week. Every dollar goes directly to the people who need it most.
Radha puts it simply: “The blessings I’ve received through this service are so palpable. Whoever takes part in it—big or small—will feel those blessings in their own life. Together, we can serve this sacred land and its people.”
