We are 100% funded by well-wishers

Kindly consider providing monetary support to the impactful community service offered by the Bhakti Vedanta Institute of Spiritual Culture and Science, a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit educational organization based in Princeton, New Jersey.

Through the efforts of Dr. B. Madhava Puri and Krishna Keshava Das, the original Serving Director from 2012-2025 and his serving assistant turned successor, respectively, the Institute has been a humble community partner of the Princeton YMCA since March 2021. Since then, BVISCS members have distributed free, sanctified vegetarian meals and held monthly mantra meditation sessions as part of their spiritual cultural programming at the YMCA. This has continued without interruption to this day and will hopefully continue for the foreseeable future. They hold similar monthly programs in downtown Princeton at Albert E. Hinds Community Plaza, in front of the Princeton Public Library, or at Tiger Park, in front of Palmer Square.

In June 2021, BVISCS members connected Asha Gurunathan of the Princeton Kindness Food Project to the Princeton YMCA, which led to the weekly Tuesday food distributions that have become a staple of the community. In 2025, the Greater Somerset County YMCA celebrated Asha’s work with the Volunteer Spirit Award in the Active Older Adult category.

On July 5, 2023, the local Princeton newspaper Town Topics highlighted the Institute’s work with the YMCA in an article titled “Vedic Cultural Program Offers Free Meals and Spiritual Nourishment.”

Every month, the BVISCS purchases and distributes 150 sanctified vegetarian meals: 85 to the Princeton YMCA community and 65 to the broader Mercer County community through Project Freedom (which provides housing for people with disabilities, the elderly, and low-income individuals from diverse backgrounds). Vatan Indian Vegetarian Cuisine & Bakery in East Windsor prepares these meals, and BVISCS purchases them at a discounted rate of $6.00 per tray. Every month, this costs the Institute $900.00.

To help us continue this service, please consider making a tax-exempt donation to the Bhakti Vedanta Institute of Spiritual Culture and Science. For tax-exemption purposes, our EIN is 20-8332347.