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Sunil Kumar Sharma's father passed away when he was just a small boy, leaving his family in a difficult situation. There were days when they could afford only one meal, and other times when they had to survive on just water for two or three days at a stretch.
"I remember times when we couldn’t even light a stove for days. Eating one full meal felt like a distant dream. My mother, despite her own hunger, would save food just to feed me. That’s when I truly understood that hunger isn’t just about an empty stomach – it strips away dignity, hope, and the ability to dream."- Sunil
The absence of food was not just physical suffering – it was an emotional and psychological burden that shaped his whole life
Growing up in extreme hardship, Sunil experienced poverty and extreme deprivation as he was one of five children of his poor parents. Hardships worsened after his father, a carpenter, passed away unexpectedly when he was just 8 years old. An aunt sometimes gave them cold rotis, but most of the time, they had to fend for themselves with little to no support. This struggle became the foundation of his mission – to fight hunger and provide meals to those in need."When my father passed away, it felt like we had lost not just a person, but the pillar that held our home together. The pain of hunger is not just physical; it takes away your self-respect and crushes your aspirations. I don’t want anyone to suffer the way I did. That’s why I made it my life’s purpose to ensure that as many people as possible never go to bed hungry."- Sunil
Through Kamalabai Charitable Trust, Sunil now serves meals to hundreds of people daily
In such dire circumstances, Sunil moved to Jaipur, hoping for a fresh start. Slowly, he started working and earning, though it wasn’t much. But despite his struggles, his mother had a generous heart. She would cook and serve food to people in need, sometimes feeding ten, fifteen, or even twenty people at a time.“As my financial situation improved slightly, my mother’s desire to feed more people grew. Eventually, she started serving meals to fifty people every day. When the community saw her efforts, many came forward, appreciating our initiative and offered moral support.” - Sunil
With growing contributions, Sunil expanded his initiative step by step. What started as feeding fifty people soon grew to a hundred, then two hundred, and eventually, five hundred people daily. That is when he formally established the Kamalabai Charitable Trust in 2016. The organization is named after this mother.
‘The people we help are truly in need – individuals who often don’t know where their next meal will come from’
The inspiration behind this initiative comes from Sunil's personal experiences. When his father was hospitalized at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, he witnessed the struggles of families who couldn’t afford food. Having personally endured hunger for two days, he deeply understood the pain of those in similar situations. This motivated him to reach as many people as possible
“Feeding 500 people every day is not just an act of service; it is a promise I made to my past self – a vow that no child should have to go through what I did. Today, I am able to feed patients and their families at Trauma Center SMS Hospital, Bangal Block of SMS Hospital, JK Lone Hospital, and Zanana, offering warmth and comfort to those in distress. The meals we provide are completely vegetarian, consisting of vegetables, lentils, or chickpeas – nutritious options that are good for patients."- Sunil
‘Both my father and mother have been my greatest inspirations – they taught me kindness’
Sunil grew up watching his family extend their kindness to anyone in need. Whether it was a beggar or a hungry passerby, they would always offer food first, ensuring no one left hungry from their doorstep. Their selflessness laid the foundation for his journey in serving those in need. Today, with community support, he continues to expand his efforts, ensuring that no one goes hungry.“One of my most memorable moments was feeding a young boy, around twelve or thirteen years old. He was carrying a sack over his shoulder, likely scavenging for scraps. I saw him picking food from a dustbin and eating it. The sight moved me deeply. I immediately called him over, took him to a nearby restaurant, and bought him a meal. The joy on his face after eating was indescribable – his entire attitude changed. He kept thanking me, but I told him, “Beta, don’t thank me. It was my responsibility to ensure you had food". That moment reaffirmed my belief in this cause.” - Sunil
Join the mission: Help feed those in need
Sunil is determined to expand his initiative and help more people in need, but the challenge of securing funds remains a major hurdle. Committed to providing only high-quality food, he ensures that every meal is made with fresh and nutritious ingredients, which naturally increases costs. Additionally, his dedicated team of 6-7 volunteers, who work tirelessly to distribute food, also need financial support. Despite these challenges, Sunil remains steadfast in his mission and is seeking help from kind-hearted individuals to sustain and grow the program. On top of everything, there’s no food truck— just an auto ferrying meals, adding to the struggle. And with the Trust operating from a rented space, the costs only pile up, making an already difficult mission even harder."Feeding people isn’t just about filling stomachs – it’s about giving them dignity through quality food. But good ingredients cost money, and so does keeping a dedicated team. With more support, we can reach more hungry people and ensure that no one has to go to sleep without a meal," says Sunil.Click here to contribute.
EIN 20-5139364
