I still remember the first time I served a hot meal to someone experiencing homelessness. It was a cold morning in San Jose in 2018, and I stood behind a folding table, ladling steaming rice and curry into compostable trays. The man in front of me smiled, nodded, and said, “Thank you.”
That moment changed me. I had come to volunteer thinking I was there to help others. But in that instant, I realized that I was being transformed.
My name is Chitra Jayaraman, and I’m part of Community Seva, a nonprofit based in the Bay Area dedicated to serving our unhoused neighbors with dignity and compassion. Since our founding in 2013, we’ve:
- Served over 400,000 hot meals
- Distributed thousands of outdoor essentials
- Provided short-term housing
- Mobilized more than 4,500 volunteers
Behind these numbers are stories of resilience, heartbreak, and hope.
A Crisis in Our Backyard
The Bay Area is often celebrated for its innovation and wealth, yet it’s also home to staggering inequality. In Santa Clara County alone, the 2025 Point-in-Time count found 10,711 people experiencing homelessness. That’s nearly 11,000 individuals without a stable place to sleep, shower, or feel safe.
Food insecurity affects over 870,000 Bay Area residents, according to the Koret Foundation — a number larger than the population of San Francisco. These are working families, seniors, and children going to bed hungry in one of the richest regions in the world.
Why I Serve
As an Indian American, the values of seva, or selfless service, were instilled in me from a young age. But it wasn’t until I saw the scale of suffering in my own community that I realized how urgent and necessary that service truly is.
At Community Seva, we don’t just hand out meals — we build relationships. We listen, show up consistently, and approach every act with compassion. Whether it’s packing hygiene kits, distributing sleeping bags, or organizing shelter partnerships, our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves dignity.
We collaborate with shelters, community centers, and advocacy groups across the Bay Area. Our programs are robust, and our volunteer base continues to grow.
One of my most powerful experiences was accompanying Nathan Ganeshan, the founder of Community Seva, to deliver hot meals to an encampment in Oakland. There, I met a woman named Maria, who had lost her job and home during the pandemic. She told me, “You’re the first person who’s looked me in the eye in weeks and smiled.” Her words and her eyes stayed with me for a long time.
Community Seva’s Impact
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished:
- Over 400,000 hot meals served
- Thousands of outdoor essentials distributed
- Short-term housing provided
- More than 4,500 volunteers mobilized
How You Can Help
If this mission moves you, I invite you to join us. Whether it’s volunteering for meal service, donating, or spreading the word, every action counts.
Join Us for a Special Evening
Community Seva is preparing to mark 12 years of service with our “Ray of Hope” gala” on October 4, 2025. This event will honor the lives we’ve touched, the volunteers who make it all possible, and the resilience of our unhoused neighbors.
Come be part of an evening filled with stories, music, and heartfelt gratitude. Purchase your ticket and RSVP
Serving with compassion is more than giving food — it’s seeing humanity, building connections, and being transformed in the process. I hope you’ll join us in continuing this journey.
Source: Indiaspora
