For the third year, the Sarnaik Endowment will help Gleaners provide more than 25,000 meals to local families in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, beginning October 20.
Through this endowment, established with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Drs. Ashok and Ingrid (Sharada) Sarnaik are ensuring that our neighbors facing food insecurity across Southeast Michigan have access to the fresh, nutritious food they need—now and for years to come.
After caring for children in Detroit for more than a century combined as pediatric specialists, the Sarnaiks may be retired, but their lifelong dedication to helping others continues to shine. The physicians-turned-philanthropists have devoted their time and resources to causes that promote learning, improve health, and—through their partnership with Gleaners—help end hunger in the community they’ve long called home.
“We have served the Detroit community as physicians, and they have served us,” said Dr. Ashok Sarnaik. “We came to Detroit from Mumbai in the early 1970s, raised our family here, and built our lives here. We are grateful. This gift is an expression of gratitude to the community that gave us so much.”
“To share what we have with Gleaners—and have that shared with others during Diwali—means a lot to us,” added Dr. Ingrid (Sharada) Sarnaik.
Diwali, often described as the triumph of light over darkness and goodness over evil, is a time for reflection, gratitude, and acts of generosity. For the Sarnaiks, that spirit of giving extends to nourishing their neighbors.
“Diwali is the most popular holiday in India,” said Dr. Ashok Sarnaik. “It celebrates light, goodness, and liberation. We hope that by sharing food with others, we can help bring light to those who may be facing dark times.”
The Sarnaiks believe that addressing hunger is foundational to a strong, healthy community. When families have access to nutritious food—fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy, and whole grains—they have the energy and stability to thrive.
“This food is not a handout,” said Dr. Ingrid (Sharada) Sarnaik. “It’s a way to share nourishment, hope, and connection. We want everyone who receives these meals to be inspired, to learn, and to grow.”
The couple’s generosity reaches far beyond Gleaners. They continue to support the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where they spent their careers, as well as pediatric medical research and educational programs that provide scholarships for local students as young as third grade.
“There are many enemies in the world today,” said Dr. Ashok Sarnaik. “We’ve chosen to fight three of them—disease, ignorance, and hunger. And how do we fight? Always with light.”
This Diwali, join the Sarnaik family in shining a light on hunger.
Your gift to Gleaners will help provide healthy meals—and hope—to families across Southeast Michigan. Donate today!
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