HungerMitao Concert Enables Over 120,000 Meals for Neighbors Facing Hunger
NTFB affinity group hosts event featuring music with a mission.
By Anna Asava
This spring, music met mission at the annual HungerMitao Concert, where community spirit and generosity combined to support North Texans facing hunger. Hosted by HungerMitao, an affinity group of the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), the event raised enough funds and awareness to enable more than 120,000 meals — all at zero cost to the organization.
A Concert with a Cause
Held in April at the Jonsson PerformanceHall at the University of Texas at Dallas, the concert brought together Indian American musicians, volunteers, and donors in a celebration of giving. The event was orchestrated entirely through volunteer support and in-kind donations.
Local performers Amit Kelkar, Rajshree Gore, Archana Kelkar, Saurabh Kshirsagar, Prajan Divakar, and Rajesh Bhat generously donated their musical talents, filling the hall with inspiring performances that echoed the event’s theme of compassion.
Behind the Scenes: Powered by Volunteers
The event was made possible through the efforts of HungerMitao and UTD student volunteers, who took care of everything from marketing to stage décor. Guests enjoyed refreshments provided by Rajula’s Kitchen, another generous community supporter.
Attendees were invited to contribute through the HungerMitao fundraising page, and their response was overwhelming.
“Through sponsorships and donations, the evening yielded $23,500 for North Texas Food Bank, and more than 100 jars of peanut butter for UTD’s Comet Cupboard!” says Sonia Elhence, Co-Chair, HungerMitao North Texas.
One couple pledged an additional $16,500 after being moved by the program — a powerful reminder of how music and storytelling can spark generosity.
Honoring a Champion: The Annapurna Award
The evening also included a special tribute. Erica Yaeger, outgoing Chief External Affairs Officer at NTFB, received the Annapurna Award, which recognizes women who played a vital role in the fight against hunger and helped amplify the mission of HungerMitao.
“Over the last seven years, Erica has been a strong advocate and champion for this community-unifying movement. She’s helped strategize, scale, and strengthen our impact,” says Anna Asava, NTFB Board Member and Co-Founder, HungerMitao.
Named after the Goddess of Food and Nourishment in Indian mythology, the Annapurna Award is a meaningful gesture that ties together cultural heritage and humanitarian values. Past recipients include Meena Trivedi and the late Kiran Sindwani.
About HungerMitao: A Growing National Movement
Launched in 2017, HungerMitao (which means “wipe out hunger” in Hindi) is a volunteer-driven movement mobilizing the Indian American community to support local food banks. It began at NTFB and now spans cities including Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Atlanta, Seattle, New York City, Detroit, and San Diego.
To learn more about HungerMitao, visit ntfb.org/hungermitao or email northtexas@hungermitao.org