When District Governor (3232-B1) Jigisha Kansara met PDG Dhiresh Shah, seeking guidance for her year ahead, his son, Lion Sanjeev Shah, shared something that stayed with her.
“The world is split between those who do not sleep because they are hungry and those who do not sleep because they are worried about those who are hungry,” Sanjeev said. “Lions fall in the latter group.”
The words resonated deeply. Sanjeev described his friend’s Roti Bank in Mumbai—a simple concept that fed hundreds daily. District Governor Kansara knew immediately what her district needed to do, under the food for hunger project.
Within weeks, District Governor Kansara met with Club President Shilpa Pandya and members of Ahmedabad Aavkar Lions Club. The 16-year-old club with 76 members embraced the challenge without hesitation. By July 2025, they had established their first Free Khichdi Ghar in Por Village.
International President Fabricio Oliveira inaugurated the centre during his visit to the district, cutting the ribbon on what would become a network of hope. The project’s early success drew immediate attention and support.
President Tushar of Ahmedabad North Lions Club stepped forward with financial backing, joined by Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank. Their partnership enabled rapid expansion across the region.
Today, five centres operate across Ahmedabad district. Volunteers serve khichdi at Village Jundal Hanuman Mandir, Chandlodia Ram Mandir Vridhashram, Paldi, and the Lions Medical Hub in Ahmedabad. Each morning, 40 tiffins reach the old age home in Jindal Village, while approximately 2,000 people receive nutritious meals daily across all locations.
The monthly expense of running the Khichdi Ghar is approximately Rs.30,000 to 35,000, which is contributed by Lions and Gujarat District Cooperative Bank support. Twenty dedicated staff members ensure smooth operations, preparing fresh khichdi that combines nutrition with dignity.
PDG Nutan Vijh has witnessed the project’s growing impact. “We’ve hosted First Vice President Mark Lyon and his spouse, International Director Ramesh Prajapati, PID Praveen Chhajed, MLA Sabarmati Harshad Shah, Mayor Pratibha Jain, and Ajay Shah, Chairperson of Gujarat State Cooperative Bank,” she shares. “Their support motivates us to expand further.”
On April 13, 2025, during the District Conference, International Director Balakrishna Burlakoti inaugurated a mobile food van sponsored by District Governor Jigisha and her spouse Narendra, along with Gujarat State Cooperative Bank. The van travels to areas on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, bringing hot khichdi directly to places where there are no centres currently.
The success has inspired broader expansion. Plans are underway to begin roti distribution once arrangements are finalized. Each centre serves as a model for replication, proving that systematic approaches to hunger relief can scale effectively.
The words that kept District Governor Kansara awake that night now keep thousands across Ahmedabad district fed each day. In addressing hunger, these Lions work to ensure that fewer people sleep hungry in their communities.