About Us

“SPARSH” means a kind touch.

“I always wanted a daughter who I hoped to name Sparsh. The name and meaning of “Sparsh” is very close to my heart. I decided to name my non-profit “Friends of Sparsh” because no other name could have shown my commitment towards it.” Prakash Saraf.

Mr. Saraf and his son Neev Saraf founded Friends of Sparsh in 2018. They have been involved with volunteering and helping the homeless community for the past 13 years. The purpose of this community-based organization is to enhance the quality of their life, by providing basic essentials needed to establish them back into the community with respect and dignity.

Mr. Prakash Saraf

  • In 2023 he received a lifetime presidential award which was given to him by LT Gov Aruna Miller.
  • In 2022, the Maryland General Assembly and the State of Maryland Governors recognized his work by an official citation during Covid working for the community
  • In 2017, the “Baltimore Community Service Award” from “Family and Children Services” for working in the community.
  • In November 2019, the “Baltimore City’s Mayor Office Award” for Outstanding Community Service.
  • In 2015 he was given Ceicl’s B-day at the Wyndham convention in Las Vegas
  • In 2016, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) who have 16,000 mostly Indian members, awarded our son Neev Saraf, with the first and only Youth Philanthropy Award at the Tennessee convention.
  • In 2020, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Awarded him with the “Philanthropy Award” for serving the community during the Covid pandemic.
  • In 2021, he received the “Point of Light Honoree” list from the George Bush Foundation.
    Many senators, state officials, and counties have recognized him with different awards and citations.
  • https://www.todayshotelier.com/2022/09/23/aahoa-lifetime-member-prakash-saraf-spends-life-serving-the-baltimore-homeless-community/#respond

Neev Saraf

  • 2024 Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award “Volunteer work”
  •  Neev Saraf Awards and Recognition
  • The Maryland General Assembly Official Citation
  • 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold)
  • Daily Point of Light Award (George Bush Foundation)
  • 2015 AAHOA Community Service Award (Youngest one ever to get it) at the convention in TN.
  • 2020 #Digital4Good Winner presented by #ICANHELP!
  • American Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF) has given him an honorary life membership in their organization.
  • 2018 President’s Volunteer Service Award (Silver)
  • 2018 Daily Point of Light award was awarded.
  • 2015 President Barak Obama’s Appreciation letter (Raised 40k for the Nepal
  • Earthquake at the age of 8)
  • 2016 Featured in NBC News for Nepal Earthquake fundraise and many other news in US, Nepal, and India

Our Success

With your continuous support Friends of Sparsh was able to provide these service to our homeless community with

help of about 1200 volunteers families.
We have been providing dinner every single day In shelter with help of all of you.

1. Via the food pantry and other donations we have distributed about 330,000 pounds of food to the community.

2. For this year till now we were able to give about 300 sleeping bags ,tents and refill 178 propane tanks for the homeless
living in streets.

3. Friends of Sparsh have provided about more than 650,000 meals including meals given through our pantry and other shelters with help of about

4. Helped about 150 families moving out from shelters with basic needs like mattresses,TV,furniture and other household needs.

5. Last 5 years we were able to provide monthly supply to shelter.While Friends of Sparsh is proud of their accomplishment, we couldn’t do it without the engagement from our volunteers and the ever generous help and support provided to our mission for the community.

Friends of Sparsh is a tax-deductible non-profit charity organization, Section 501(c) (3).serving the homeless in your community.

For Donations
www.gofund.me/7bc4519b
Credits cards please call..
3015383834
Paypal.me/friendsofsparsh
Venmo @Friendsofsparsh
Zelle@Friendsofsparsh@gmail.com
Mail checks to
Friends of Sparsh
3108 Nestling Pine Court
Ellicott city,MD 21042
Facebook @Friendsofsparsh
FOS EIN 83-2446938
www.friendsofSparsh.org

History of Friends of Sparsh

The origin of the nonprofit charity organization “Friends of Sparsh” has a very interesting history behind the name. Prakash always wanted to have a daughter and name her “Sparsh”- which means a kind touch. This name was always very close to his heart and what better name he could give to his nonprofit organization that is also very dear to him!

सेवा परमो धर्म:

Seva Parmo Dharma. ‘Seva (service) is the supreme Dharma’“

We can’t help everyone, but…everyone can help someone.” Dr. Loretta Scott
With this value in mind and a desire to make it a better place for the less fortunate, “Friends of Sparsh” was founded by Mr. Prakash Saraf and his son Neev Saraf in November 2018. The goal in their hearts and mind was to offer more help, services and relief to more homeless and needy indviduals in the community. With the creation of Friends of Sparsh there was now a better organized, registered and structured system to channel out more help and resources to many more individuals.

Mission

We believe in bringing a social change to the homeless communities by uplifting and enhancing their quality of life. We connect communities and organizations that share our passion and are willing to engage and uplift lives of less fortunate families, thereby providing them with the basic necessities, with service, kindness and compassion.

Our Success

With your continuous support Friends of Sparsh was able to provide these service to our homeless community with

help of about 1200 volunteers families.
We have been providing dinner every single day In shelter with help of all of you.

1. Via the food pantry and other donations we have distributed about 330,000 pounds of food to the community.

2. For this year till now we were able to give about 300 sleeping bags ,tents and refill 178 propane tanks for the homeless
living in streets.

3. Friends of Sparsh have provided about more than 650,000 meals including meals given through our pantry and other shelters with help of about

4. Helped about 150 families moving out from shelters with basic needs like mattresses,TV,furniture and other household needs.

5. Last 5 years we were able to provide monthly supply to shelter.While Friends of Sparsh is proud of their accomplishment, we couldn’t do it without the engagement from our volunteers and the ever generous help and support provided to our mission for the community.

Friends of Sparsh is a tax-deductible non-profit charity organization, Section 501(c) (3).serving the homeless in your community.

For Donations
www.gofund.me/7bc4519b
Credits cards please call..
3015383834
Paypal.me/friendsofsparsh
Venmo @Friendsofsparsh
Zelle@Friendsofsparsh@gmail.com
Mail checks to
Friends of Sparsh
3108 Nestling Pine Court
Ellicott city,MD 21042
Facebook @Friendsofsparsh
FOS EIN 83-2446938
www.friendsofSparsh.org

History of Friends of Sparsh

The origin of the nonprofit charity organization “Friends of Sparsh” has a very interesting history behind the name. Prakash always wanted to have a daughter and name her “Sparsh”- which means a kind touch. This name was always very close to his heart and what better name he could give to his nonprofit organization that is also very dear to him!

सेवा परमो धर्म:

Seva Parmo Dharma. ‘Seva (service) is the supreme Dharma’“

We can’t help everyone, but…everyone can help someone.” Dr. Loretta Scott
With this value in mind and a desire to make it a better place for the less fortunate, “Friends of Sparsh” was founded by Mr. Prakash Saraf and his son Neev Saraf in November 2018. The goal in their hearts and mind was to offer more help, services and relief to more homeless and needy indviduals in the community. With the creation of Friends of Sparsh there was now a better organized, registered and structured system to channel out more help and resources to many more individuals.

Mission

We believe in bringing a social change to the homeless communities by uplifting and enhancing their quality of life. We connect communities and organizations that share our passion and are willing to engage and uplift lives of less fortunate families, thereby providing them with the basic necessities, with service, kindness and compassion.

Our Programs

Donate a meal at the Shelter

Friends of Sparsh provides meals every day to many shelters.

Food Bank

Friends of Sparsh sponsors a food bank with a goal of providing food for the underprivileged families in the community.

Permanent Housing for the Homeless

Friends of Sparsh provides essential items like TV, mattress, furniture, and kitchen items to transitional family who moves to permanent housing.

Our Team Members
praksh-profile-image

Prakash Saraf

Founder and President
neev2

Neev Saraf

Founding Member
blue-box

Manjila Saraf

Director
blue-box

Dinesh Jain

Director
team-05

Priti Patel

Secretary
team-02

Kumar Buvanendaran

Treasurer
team-06

Shazia Din

Store Director
team-03

Kavita Joshi

IT and Content
blue-box

Anushka Agarwal

IT and Content

Know More

team-04

Prince Basnyat

IT
team

Prakash Saraf

Founder and President
team-01

Neev Saraf

Founding Member
blue-box

Manjila Saraf

Director
blue-box

Dinesh Jain

Director
team-05

Priti Patel

Secretary
team-02

Kumar Buvanendaran

Treasurer
team-06

Shazia Din

Store Director
team-03

Kavita Joshi

IT and Content
blue-box

Anushka Agarwal

IT and Content

Know More

team-04

Prince Basnyat

IT