BUY
NOW
The Seva Food Bank is the first major initiative of Sikhs Serving Canada, a registered not-for-profit organization that engages Sikhs in a variety of local community-focused initiatives that benefit all Canadians.
Our work aims to address the challenges of food security, poverty reduction and economic renewal for low-income families living in seven postal codes across Mississauga.
Our approach underscores the importance of dignity, cultural sensitivity and inclusion. Our solutions are developed and implemented with thoughtful community engagement.
Sikhs Serving Canada are guided by 6 key values
-
Sarbat da Bhalla - The Wellbeing of All
Every individual is divine. It is our inherent responsibility to look after each other in our community so no one is left behind.
-
Chardi Kala - Eternal Optimism
Tomorrow will be better than today. We inject this optimism into all our interactions and plans.
-
Seva - Selfless Service
Each of us has a responsibility to give back in any way we can. We serve with humility, compassion and gratitude, treating everyone equitably with dignity and respect.
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Diverse values, beliefs, and behaviours, and social, cultural and linguistic needs of all communities will be considered in the services and supports that they require. These needs are integral to ensuring that our communities have access to and participate in all levels of our mission-based projects, activities and organizations.
-
Transparency and Accountability
Our stakeholders receive relevant information in an accessible and timely manner that ensures we answer for our actions and commitments.
-
Client-centric and Community-informed
Our solutions are developed and implemented through engaging and involving the community.
Our Vision & Mission.
Vision
A society in which the inherent divinity and sovereignty of every individual is recognized and cultivated so that everyone is able to fulfill their true potential.
Mission
Coordinate and deliver programs that improve the food security needs of our clients and support their journey to self-reliance by addressing the root causes of their hunger.
Our efforts are in service of the following five strategic priorities:
-
Ensure equitable access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to people experiencing or at risk of poverty in the communities we serve.
-
Develop programs that reduce the causes and consequences of food insecurity.
-
Inform public policy and mobilize leaders and communities to reduce the impact of food insecurity.
-
Ensure a sustainable business model that is disciplined, robust and ensures long-term revenue growth.
-
Build Seva’s organizational capacity to support strategic priorities and future growth.
It takes a village to create something beautiful
Our Staff
Vipin Saini, Executive Director
A passionate and accomplished leader with corporate and public sector leadership experience with organizations like Ontario Health and Bayer, Vipin is leading Seva Food Bank's next stage of growth. A volunteer with Seva since 2012, Vipin joined the Seva board in May of 2018. In his new role as Executive Director, he brings wide experience from his years being on the ground helping with warehouse work, food collection from partners, and above all interaction with clients, volunteers, and staff.
Manmeet Singh Chhabra, Warehouse Coordinator
operations@sevafoodbank.com
Manmeet coordinates the operations and food-raising efforts of both Seva Food Bank locations. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a post-graduate diploma in Pharmaceutical Marketing and has vast experience in warehousing from the Hudson Bay Company.
Marianthi Karras, Volunteer Coordinator
volunteer@sevafoodbank.com
Marianthi coordinates a diverse team of volunteers for both Seva Food Bank locations. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and draws on her extensive human resources training in her work. Marianthi is a passionate community advocate and is active on a range of boards.
Peter Hamo, Programs Administrator
Peter coordinates a variety of client programs and client-focused events at Seva, and his particular area of interest and responsibility is our Client Home Delivery program. Peter holds a Masters in International Relations from McMaster University.
Manreet Lachhar, Kitchen Programs Coordinator
Manreet coordinates the development, scheduling, partnerships, and participant recruitment of all programming related to Seva’s Community Teaching Kitchens in Malton and Brampton, including workshops and culinary training programs. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University.
Sadaf Zuberi, Donor Relations Coordinator
Sadaf coordinates donor relations and donor stewardship across individual and institutional giving, direct response and special events, all aimed at advancing the organization’s capacity to strategically and sustainably attract transformational support.
Our Board
Angie Rehal, Director and Vice-Chair
Paralegal DOJ; Owner Angies Golden Ghee; Mom of two big boys; Avid community work; Loves coffee, fitness, and friends; Aging with humility and grace, every wrinkle counts for my laughter.
Amreet calls Mississauga home and has been an active volunteer in various community initiatives and organizations. She has a decade of experience in the public service working in the Government of Ontario and Government of Canada.
Bal comes with a extensive background in Real Estate Project Management (Construction/Tenant Fit-out). She started her journey with Seva Food 10 years ago when looking for ways to help her kids get hours for school. Proud mom of three who keep her on her toes at all times! She is grateful for the values that her parents instilled in her, selfless help in giving back to the community, helping in any way you can. Seva Food Bank very quickly became her "happy place".
Bikram Singh Bal is a litigation lawyer at FDH LLP. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta and graduated from Carleton University with a B.A. (Hons.) in Criminology and French. Bikram has been active in Sikh community organizations for many years, with a particular focus on advocating for the reasonable accommodation of Sikh articles of faith.
Harbaljit (Ruby) Singh Kahlon, Director
Harbaljit Singh Kahlon works as a consultant in the financial services industry. He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and has supported the efforts of various charities in Canada and India.
Hardeep Aulakh is CPA & CA , with extensive experience in Corporate Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Risk Management. He has worked for large global organizations, led teams of various sizes, and successfully implemented process improvements. Hardeep graduated from University of Toronto with high distinction. He enjoys helping the local community and taking part in various initiatives within and outside of Seva Food Bank.
Harpreet Malhi, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee
Harpreet Malhi is CPA with over a decade of expertise, bringing a wealth of knowledge in tax and accounting services to empower individuals and businesses alike. Along with owning his own practice Harpreet is a full-time employee for a global privately owned corporation where he leads the Canadian Tax function for all of Canada. Upon completion of his extensive education, Harpreet wanted to give back to the community. Understanding his own family's struggles when immigrating to Canada, he knew that Seva was close to home. Firstly joining the finance committee as a member back in 2020 and later joining the board as the Treasurer and Finance committee chair in November 2023.
Kiran is Clinical Pharmacist at the Toronto General Hospital and graduate of the University of Waterloo. She was recently a recipient of the 2016 Leading Women, Building Communities Award from the province of Ontario. Kiran has a long-standing record of community advocacy having worked on a range of initiatives within the student and Sikh communities.
Kulvir Singh Gill, Board Chair
Kulvir is a Senior Principal with Clareo, a growth strategy consultancy and Associate Director of the Development Partner Institute. In addition to Seva, he also serves on the boards of the William Osler Health System, the Empire Club of Canada and the Sikh Research Institute. Kulvir is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and a 2010 Action Canada Fellow. He holds a B.Sc. and a B. Comm. from the University of Calgary and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
Mandeep (Sandy) Kaur Grewal, Director and Secretary
Sandy Kaur Grewal graduated from York University with her honours BA in Psychology and now works as an Independent Consultant in Project Management. She is an avid community organizer including a volunteer and key organizer with the Guru Gobind Singh Children’s Foundation since 1993 where she served as one of the first members of their Board of Directors and she is also the current Chair of the Sikh Heritage Month Foundation Ontario Chapter.
Manraj is a graduate of the Queen’s University Electrical Engineering program and is an active community volunteer supporting various youth leadership initiatives with the City of Pickering and Toronto Sikh Retreat.
Ruby Bola, Director
Ruby Bola currently holds a dual role as a Research Radiation Therapist and Project Manager at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where she spearheads the development, implementation, and evaluation of continuing education offerings. Her healthcare experience involves extensive work in quality improvement and patient/client experience. She joined the Seva team in 2019 and is passionate about making a positive impact in the local community and beyond.
Sarabjot (Jyoti) Kaur Bedi, Director
Jyoti Kaur Bedi, graduated from the University of Manitoba, with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Microbiology. Her keen interest in the Human Resources industry, led her to complete her Post Graduate Human Resources certification at George Brown College, and she then obtained her CHRP designation. She has worked at Loblaw Companies Ltd. since 2012, and is currently employed as a Human Resources Business Partner with the Real Canadian Superstore banner.
Her parents instilled the values of giving back, and helping the community, which is why Seva has been such an important part of her life since her early days. Jyoti, has volunteered at a number of charitable organizations including, Canadian Diabetes Association, University Health Network, President’s Choice Children’s Charity, and now the Seva Food Bank. She aspires to make the world a better place by helping those in need, one person at a time.
Seema Kaur Dulai, Director
Seema Kaur Dulai is a recent Board Director. Seema has recently returned to the GTA after several years in Michigan, where she co-founded Aasraa Food Pantry and SevaTruck Michigan. As advisors and supporters, Seva Food Bank was one of her primary inspirations for starting a food pantry. Seema is one of the many dedicated volunteers on our Refugee Settlement Pilot Project. She works with other team members assisting refugee families with their daily needs. Seema is also a longtime lead volunteer with Sikh Youth Alliance of North America (SYANA). In her spare time, she is an avid car enthusiast, cake decorator and potter. As a budding “environmentalist” and animal lover, Seema believes firmly in making responsible daily lifestyle choices.
Land Acknowledgement
Seva Food Bank is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. This territory is protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. For thousands of years, this was the traditional land of the Haudenosaunee who inhabited and cared for this land. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.
Finance Committee
Chair: Harpreet Malhi
Birender Gill
Gurleen Dhaliwal
Harpreet Malhi
Amritpal Saini
Staff rep:
Vipin Saini
Sachin Bhandari