HELPING HANDS NEWSLETTER
BGR Community: A Seamstress in Brazil
Marla, a seamstress in São Paulo, found both education and community through a program with BGR partner GAIA. The project helps women to lift themselves and their families out of poverty through training in pattern making, sewing, and entrepreneurial skills.
Coming to the Defense of SNAP
BGR co-founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi addresses some of the pitfalls that the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” creates for food insecure families living in the United States. He argues that, as people of conscience, we can’t rip plates away from the hands of hungry families. Rather, we must call on our representatives to reverse this heartless bill and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food.
Support for Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
The Save Their Dreams project from BGR partner Mercy World Organization provides school uniforms and supplies, health insurance, school lunches, counseling, and other support to some of Tanzania's most vulnerable children.
A Walk to Feed the Hungry in Portland, Oregon
On November 15, 2025, Portland (Oregon) Friends of the Dhamma hosted the first in-person Walk to Feed the Hungry that has been held in the U.S. since the Covid pandemic compelled BGR to move our annual fundraiser to an online space. The Walk, which also benefited the Portland hunger relief nonprofit Urban Gleaners, was a great success and an inspiring community-building event.
BGR Joins Symposium on Human Dignity at Jewish Theological Seminary
This interfaith conference explored the theme of “Upholding Human Dignity in Turbulent Times.” At the event, BGR founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi gave a presentation on a panel on the subject of “Hunger, Displacement, and Civilian Suffering.”
BGR Community: A Smallholder Farmer in Malawi
Farms in Maria’s town in Malawi are failing due to climate shocks and soil degradation caused by industrialized farming. Through training provided by BGR partner Ecology Action, Maria has learned sustainable agriculture techniques to improve yields while conserving resources.
A Holiday Message from Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
As we come to the end of 2025, please bring forth a heart of compassion and help us give a hand to some of the most needy people in this world.
We Must End the Starvation of Gaza
A quarter of the way into the 21st century, we would never have expected an economically developed nation to deliberately set out to starve an entire population in a territory under its control. Such a policy would seem to belong to a past era, a time before the international community adopted binding codes of human rights. Yet in Gaza today, this assumption is being turned upside down.
Helping Women and Girls Break the Cycle of Poverty in Nagpur, India
Founded by the Australian Buddhist nun Ayya Yeshe, Bodhicitta Foundation provides food, housing, education, vocational training, and social services for people in need in Nagpur, India.
Buddhist Action to Feed the Hungry 2025
Hosted by BGR founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, BGR’s annual Buddhist Action to Feed the Hungry Online Gathering, “Transforming Compassion Into Action,” will be held on October 25, 2025.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
During the coronavirus crisis, Buddhist Global Relief is continuing to fund projects providing food, education, and other necessary support to the world’s most vulnerable people. Many of the communities we serve worldwide are experiencing immense need as this epidemic spreads among vulnerable and medically underserved populations. If you have the ability to help, please consider donating to BGR. You can contribute by PayPal or credit card here or by check mailed to: Buddhist Global Relief, 2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512, USA.
