
While many in Sacramento enjoyed Christmas with family and a home-cooked meal, the harsh reality for the homeless remained the same. However, the local volunteer group Seva Selfless Service worked to bring some comfort by distributing essentials like blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, and food. Funded by local donations, volunteer Jetender Johal shared with CBS News Sacramento that the day was both enjoyable and rewarding, as friends and family came together with a common goal.
Established nearly 13 years ago by college students as a simple initiative to distribute peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Seva has flourished into a much larger operation, as detailed by CBS News Sacramento. Now, they're a beacon of hope for several hundred individuals, with volunteer numbers around fifty and the recipients of their goodwill lining up even on Christmas Day. Reflecting the community's spirit of giving, Johal emphasized that the donations weren't grand gestures from afar but were the result of people "chipping in 20 bucks out of their paycheck."
The decision to brave the cold and give back didn't only fall on Christmas. Seva Selfless Service was extending its hands even on Christmas Eve. Pavan Parmar, a volunteer with the organization, told ABC 10 that apart from the usual warm meals, this year also included the distribution of practical items like socks, beanies, blankets, and tarps.
“Life happens and I'm just building my foundation. Keeping hope and positivity,” she told ABC 10. The organization seeks community support to keep its mission of service going year-round, reflecting the generosity of the holiday season.