Sewa in the City: The Food Drive

On Friday 28th November 2025, SGUL Hindu Society joined Jain Student Forum UK – along with students from Imperial and UCL – for a food drive supporting vulnerable and homeless communities around Charing Cross.

We started the evening with a cosy hot chocolate at Knoops, which gave us a chance to meet everyone and settle into the spirit of the night. Once we reached Zimbabwe House, we split into stations and began distributing groceries and essentials.

For many of us at SGUL, this was our first experience of Sewa, and it was humbling to see how something so simple – providing groceries, a friendly conversation – could make such a difference.

Our shared Hindu and Jain values of compassion, non-violence and selfless service felt genuinely alive throughout the evening. Beyond the act of giving, we built real camaraderie across our societies, supporting each other as much as those we were there to help. We ended the night with a short reflection, grateful for everyone’s effort and the sense of community we created together. It reminded us that Sewa isn’t just a principle – it’s the simple choice to show up, care, and make a difference, even in the middle of a busy city.

– SGUL Committee

To follow on from SGUL’s reflections, the whole evening felt really special. Shared values like Ahimsa (non-violence) and Aparigraha (letting go) weren’t just ideas we talked about – they actually came to life. Distributing food, smiling at someone in need, or taking a moment to listen felt like small but real ways of practising kindness selflessly, and that’s what sewa is all about!

Serving together with students from SGUL, UCL and Imperial reminded us of the belief that we grow by supporting each other. It was honestly just wholesome seeing everyone work together with so much warmth and good energy. From a student perspective it was a refreshing break from the usual routine of lectures and deadlines. Talking to people on the streets made everything feel a lot more human and real. It wasn’t some huge, intense project – just a group of students trying to make someone’s evening a bit easier.

To begin the evening we met up over Hot chocolate at Knoops where everyone was chatting, helping out, and looking out for each other. It made us realise that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just showing up, being kind, and sharing a moment with someone who needs it most.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jalaram Mandir Greenford, for all their hard work in organising these weekly food drives at Zimbabwe House – Charing Cross and supporting the whole community unconditionally. We are grateful to be able to get involved and volunteer year in and out.

– JSF Committee