AZ Langar on Wheels

The Arizona Sikh community has been serving the needy and homeless in various forums for the last 20+ years despite its small population.  It was the summer of 2000, when the community members aligned to STEP UP the mission to serve the needy people in greater Phoenix area.  With support from a few generous members of the Sikh community (still anonymous), food truck was purchased and thus AZ LANGAR ON WHEELS came to existence with the first meals served on Jan 24, 2021 in downtown Phoenix where most homeless people of Metro Phoenix maintain their temporary shelters on the sidewalks and empty lots.  While COVID was in full swing, the commitment to serve did not phase out. 

Since Jan 2021, every Saturday around 10:45 AM, the truck is parked near the vicinity of St. Mary’s Shelter in downtown Phoenix on 12th Ave between Madison and Jefferson, where 250+ needy individuals are already standing in line patiently for the meal.  We have served more than +100,000 hot meals to date. Starting Sept 2025, we have now expanded the program to providing 700+ weekend meals on weekly basis to needy students of Bethune Elementary School, 1310 S 15th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85007.  The funds to support the mission are generously donated by community members, other organizations and businesses.

The event is run with all volunteers and is now expanded to individuals from other faiths but with the same objective of serving the needy & humanity. Typical serving includes 3 slices of cheese pizza, banana and nutritional soft drinks (e.g.  Gatorade). Servings start with a Sikh prayer and the homeless individuals already lined up are then served one by one by the volunteers and their friends. Many families join the service to celebrate special days including children’s birthdays. To watch small Sikh children between the ages of 12-15 serving along with their parents is a very full-filling sight. Additionally, we have expanded to engage AZ langar on wheels Teens who also sponsor the meals and help serve once a quarter.   During the winter months, special warm clothes/blankets are distributed as well.  Many of the local sikh doctor community members provide free dental and hygiene kits to the needy. 

To Support and Donate: Zelle at azlangaronwheels@gmail.com OR venmo at azlangaronwheels.org

Note: AZ LANGAR ON WHEELS is a non-profit corporation and operates exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code