T.C.DIWALI-GIVING
T.C.Diwali-Giving wants to spread our message of hope and compassion through the diverse light of Diwali. We do this by service with the ideals of Thanksgiving by giving. This campaign is lead by two teen girls Ivanka & Sara, daughters of immigrant families. We believe that a single action can make a difference in the community, and that collective action can greatly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, we works tirelessly each day to contribute our part to the greater good by inviting more teen leaders to join our team.
WHO WE ARE
Who is T.C.D. Giving? The Corporate Diwali Giving is a non-profit service. T.C.D. Giving started giving back in November 2020, due to a recent passing of a family member. He absolutely adored helping others and since then, we give back to the homeless every year on his passing day. Because of Covid-19, as of August 2023, up to 6.9M loved ones have passed. Once gone, we are only left with their memories. T.C.D. Giving dedicates their food to all those who have left us. T.C.D. Giving would like to provide this as a platform for those who have lost loved ones. We invite you to cook with us in honor of them.
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WHAT WE DO
Here at T.C.D. Giving we make home-cooked, vegetarian, Indian, meals every Thanksgiving. Many immigrant families don't have relatives in the U.S.A. to celebrate with. Food helps us connect with our roots. We put our food in individual food boxes that contain rice, lentils, a vegetable, salad, and a sweet dessert. The food is then delivered to the homeless shelter(s) we choose to provide for that specific year. At the shelter, T.C.D. Giving volunteers help set up, supply, and warm the food. As of late, TCD Giving is expanding to multiple cities in the United States such as Syracuse, Hoboken, and the South Hamptons. If you want to volunteer, please scroll down to the contact section of the site.
PAST EVENTS
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO HOMELESS SHELTERÂ 2020
This is the origin of TCD giving. Ivanka Beriwala and family cooked 75 home-cooked, Indian, vegetarian meals. She donated to the local homeless in Hoboken, NJ. They set the table 3-4 times for different dinner times. This is when she was inspired to create such an organization and expand it among young leaders and more shelters.
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO HOMELESS SHELTERÂ 2021
2021 was the magical year when we TCD giving came to life. Our youth leaders came together to cook 100 home-cooked, Indian, vegetarian meals. With everyone contributing, we were able to donate to the local Hoboken homeless shelter.
Featuring Left-Right: Axele P. and Ivanka B.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2022
TCD Giving and IWD collaborated for the first time in March 2022. TCD Giving's whole purpose is to give back and when women are included, it opens up so many more doors. TCD Giving raised $360 and used that money to buy period supplies (pads, tampons, hygiene wipes and heating pads) and donate to the "The Dwelling Place women's" homeless shelter. They provide refuge to women who are fleeing from domestic violence/abuse and teach them skills to get back on their feet. On March 25th the entire team drove out to 409 W 40th St, New York and donated 60 boxes of mentral materials.
Featuring Left - Right: Matthew C, Axele P, Anya S, Sara G, Ivanka B, Rhea R
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO HOMELESS SHELTERÂ 2022
TCD Giving picked up so much momentum this year! We raised a little over $500 to use in buying supplies and donating to the shelter. The Hoboken Homeless Shelter received 150 food boxes. But, this year, since our feat was so large (making 150 food boxes is not easy in a home kitchen) we upgraded. This year, we cooked directly in the kitchen of the shelter using their industrial-sized pots and pans. This is also the year we recruited two new members, Annie McGraw and Bela Patel.
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO SYRACUSE SALVATION ARMY 2023
This was TCD Giving's very first retreat-style event. Our two team members, Maricacarla B and Ivanka B, traveled to Syracuse, New York to attend this 2 night retreated hosted by The Corporate Diwali (TCD). As part of the retreat activities, our team gave a presentation on TCD Giving and set up a system for all the retreat guests to follow. All the women helped make the food boxes and we drove out to the local Salvation Army to drop off 50 food boxes. This was the first of many retreats and we are so grateful for this opportunity.
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO HAMPTONS COMMUNITY OUTREACH 2023
In October of 2023, TCD Giving was able to attend a Corporate Diwali retreat in the Hamptons. Similar to the Syracuse event above, our team members Bela P, Annie M, and Ivanka B, traveled to The Hamptons, to make 50 food boxes. The Hamptons is often coined as being known as a very affluent community, but unfortunately, this is not the case. Because of the "off-season" in the winter, many blue-collar workers are laid off due to the incapability to be paid. Many high class restaurants are closed and low-income families struggle to make ends meet. In this trip, TCD Giving partnered with the community outreach to go door-by-door to donate homemade food boxes. The talked to the families in low-income housing in Spanish, explaining what was in these new food boxes. TCD Giving is proud to announce our lifetime partnership with Hamptons Community Outreach to make this all possible.
HOME-COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO KINNELON MANNA HOUSE 2023
In October of 2023, TCD Giving made an independent donation in New Jersey. Our team member, Sara G., opened her home in Kinnelon, NJ, to provide us with a space to cook and package 70 food boxes. This was only made possible by the money we raised throughout the year. Almost all of our team was able to attend and we made the food boxes and delivered it to a local church called the Manna House. The Manna House was so grateful for our donation and because of our aligned values, we are often in contact with them.
Featuring Left - Right: Sara G., Ivanka B., and Matthew C.
FIRST EVER STREET FAIR HOBOKEN 2024
TCD Giving presented our very first street fair in September of 2024! We closed down an entire block in Hoboken, NJ, and hosted a Diwali-centered block party, free to the public. In this, we had a live, youth-led, local band, donations from multiple restaurants in the area, a bake sale for TCD Giving, a crafts table, and the main feature: a 100-box donation to the Hoboken Homeless Shelter. TCD Giving was able to gather the support of the community and donate not only homemade food but also cans, clothes, toys, and more. We wrapped up the block party with all of our TCD Giving members receiving certificates from Mayor Ravi Bhalla's office itself.
Featuring Left - Right: Annie M, Mariacarla B, Ivanka B, Bela P, Joaqiun, Matthew C.
MEET THE TEAM
T.C.D. Giving is all about supporting youth leaders. To enhance this, all of our leaders, are young people from ages 12+.
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IVANKA BERIWALA
Founder and Co-President
Hi, I'm Ivanka Beriwala and I am the Head of T.C.D. Giving. Since my grandmother and great grandfather passed away, I have been inspired to give back. I created this website and organization with a passion that other families out there will want to help! Being the Founder of this ever growing team is massive responsibility and between balancing school and sports, it needs a strong structure to work better for everyone. Along with Sara Garg, we are striving to make a better society by giving back.
MARIACARLA BETTOCCHI
Location Coordinator
Hi! My name is Mariacarla Bettocchi. As the location coordinator for TCD Giving, my job is to research places to work with and ensure that our donations go to organizations whose purpose aligns with ours. While working with TCD Giving, I’ve been able to meet new people and learn more about Indian culture, but most importantly I’ve been able to give back to my community. I’m grateful and proud to be part of the process and am so excited to see what more we can do in the future!
MATTHEW COONEY
Community Researcher
My name's Matthew Cooney and I am the Community Researcher of TCD-Giving. I live in the local area and when I first heard about this organization, I knew it is where I wanted to be. Being a community researcher requires extensive research on anything and everything the team needs. That includes who, how, what, where, and when. Please contact me if you have suggestions as to where to donate!
BELA PATEL
Director of Social Media
My name is Bela Patel and I am currently a high school student residing in Hoboken, NJ. As an Indian girl living in the United States, I resonate with the message of spreading hope and light which are some of the core messages of Diwali. I love the fact that this organization is youth-led and makes it that much more inspiring. I believe that social media is a huge part of our lives today and that is why I will work to make TCD Giving's social media presence able to convey all of our values. I am fortunate enough to be able to spend my time giving back to my community and am even happier to be part of an organization that does just that.
ANNIE McGRAW
Secretary
Hi, I’m Annie! I first learned about TCD Giving through my friend and teammate, Ivanka, and I was instantly drawn to its message. Service and the importance of giving back to my community are concepts that were instilled with me from a young age and I’m so grateful that TCD Giving has provided me with such a wonderful opportunity to help others. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with other young people who are just as passionate about serving our community!
CONTACT T.C.D. GIVING
To get in touch with us:
1. Email t.c.d.gving@gmail.com or submit the form and we will get back to you!
2. We also have a GoFundMe me page if you are interested in donating to our cause. It is linked at the top right of the website
3. Lastly, you can check out instagram page "@tcdgiving" (also linked at the top) to learn more about us.