The Kauai Aadheenam Feed the Monks Fund provides for annadhanam (giving of food) for the monks of the monastery in Hawaii, in memory of Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the founder. Being located in Hawaii gives Kauai Aadheenam many unique blessings, but it also brings grocery prices that are the highest of any state in the nation—some 70% higher than the national average. A tomato from Safeway can cost $5, for one! As part of their self-sufficiency, the monks grow most of the vegetables and fruits they eat. They manage hydroponic green houses for raising vegetables indoors, away from fruit flies and other pests that would attack them. These efforts provide a daily source of truly fresh, organic vegetables while reducing the need to purchase costly produce from stores, thus offsetting Hawaii's food costs. The monks also ship in from the US Mainland items such as rice, flour, dahls and lentils in fifty pound sacks every three months to keep food costs as low as possible. Padmini Samuthiran, at right, who lives with her family in Singapore, is a co-creator of the Feed the Monks Fund. She shared with us, "Since the time when I was in my thirties, I had the goal and wish to set up some sort of Annadhanam Fund that will serve food for hungry people and/or will ensure nobody goes hungry. Without food, the mind will not function effectively. The monks are doing amazing work both in terms of the nature and magnitude of their mission, so to establish a fund named 'Feed the Monks' appropriately fulfills my goal/wish. When the fund amount exceeds a pre-determined amount, sufficient to meet the needs of the monks at Kauai, its usage will be expanded to serve people at large, to ensure, as much as possible, that people do not go hungry." Poumagal Mootoosamy, at right, co-creator of this fund, is originally from Mauritius and now lives with her family in Montreal, Canada. She explained to the Hindu Heritage Endowment staff, "For some years now, my husband Agum and I have gladly been sponsoring a meal for the mathavasis of Kauai Aadheenam. I grew up in a family where Annadanam (the sacred offering of food) has always been considered a blessing and privilege, done with much love and humility, without thought of reward. "The idea of creating a Feed the Monks endowment fund came to light in 2015, after having the darshan of Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami at Montreal Murugan Temple. We wanted to do something more permanent than a once-a-year meal sponsorship. Sannyasin Shanmuganathaswami provided me with the required information on HHE and once the minimum fund was collected, the procedure was very simple. "Caring for Gurudeva's mathavasis is a natural way of ensuring the continuity of their most unique and noble work, as well as setting an example for our children. We hope the fund will grow to generate sufficient income to cover all food expenses in the future. We are happy for the opportunity to show our immense gratitude to Gurudeva!" Grants from the Feed the Monks Fund will provide an additional source of income to help the monks manage Hawaii's high food prices. When the principal of the fund reaches $100,000, portions of the grant may also be used to feed other worthy and qualified charitable organizations, at the discretion of the presiding satguru of Kauai Aadheenam. The goal of this fund is three million US dollars. It is anticipated that earned revenue from this amount will cover the entire food budget for the monks each year. Hawaii, USA Fund #87 |
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