Anna and Raj Asava are Champions
In the Fight Against Hunger
in their Local Community!
Hailing from India, Plano
residents Aradhana (Anna) and
Raj Asava are first generation
immigrants to the USA. Both
are grateful for their roots and
shared values of integrity and
empathy that come from their
upbringing in India, and the
couple is especially grateful for
the soaring opportunities they
received in the US, their adopted
land. After long, successful
careers, the Asavas decided to
“retire” 7 years ago to focus on
personal interests: philanthropy,
travel, and time with family
and friends.
Having been involved in
several charitable organizations
that addressed issues facing
developing countries, Anna and
Raj remember being taken aback
when they heard about hunger
Anna and Raj Asava
in North Texas. As they learned
more about the work of the North
Texas Food Bank, they became
more increasingly aware of the
size and seriousness of the issue.
“It was hard to accept
hunger, right here in our
neighborhoods,” said Raj. “It was
a shock, but once we learned that
hunger existed in this region, we
knew we had to get involved.”
Their first order of business was
to support NTFB’s Food 4 Kids
backpack program in Plano at
the behest of Plano Mayor Harry
LaRosiliere. Then, Anna joined
the Philanthropy Council of
NTFB. Inspired to do even more,
the dynamic couple collaborated,
and launched NTFB’s Indo-
American Council —
which
represents a caring community
committed to raising food
and funds that benefit hungry
children, seniors and families
across NTFB’s 13-counties.
“It was hard to
accept hunger,
right here in our
neighborhoods”
The Council aims to mobilize
the vibrant Indo-American
community to actively volunteer
and raise food and funds for
NTFB. With a slogan of “Hunger
Mitao” (Wipe-out Hunger), and a
recent donation of $100,000 to the
North Texas Food Bank from Raj
and Anna, this group is well on
its way to providing one million
meals in their first year.
“This is just the beginning,”
said Anna. “We want to get the
Indo-American community
more involved with the Food
Bank and build a groundswell of
support. We know that the issue
of hunger is critical and that our
community can rally together to
make a difference.”
At a Council launch event on
September 29, several Indo-
American community leaders
stepped up and pledged their
support to this initiative.
Reflecting on the issue of hunger
in our neighborhoods, Raj
recalled a line his grandfather
used to say, “How can you
eat knowing your neighbor is
hungry?” a concept that has
stayed with him over the years.
To learn more about the NTFB
Indo-American Council please
visit ntfb.org/iac.
6
Around the Table