In the early decades of the twentieth century,some pilgrims from Calicut, Manjeri, Koyilandy, Kannur, and Palakkad met at Kozhumam Sathram at Palani, for the annual Thaipoosam festival. They were friends, and during their stay, they cooked food for themselves and shared food with other pilgrims coming from far off places who could not afford it. These pilgrims continued this practice year after year and soon the “AnnadanaSangam” (registered under Societies Act XXI of 1860-S) was born in 1930 with a mission of serving food to the needy irrespective of caste, creed, and religion.

Since then, the Sangham has expanded its scope both geographically as well and started addressing significantly the very many shades of giving. From the early ‘80s the Sangham started to provide books, school fees and clothing to children who need such support. Today the Sangham supports over 500 children on an annual basis. The Sangham has been contributing to societal causes more broadly like donating to CM’s relief funds during the terrible floods in Kerala and TN, donating to PM’s fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

What was started over 90 years ago by some noble pioneers like Thaliparamba NeelakandaIyer, Nelluva Narayana Iyer, Balasubramaniam, Pallavur K. SubramaniaIyer, Manjeri Ramanathan, Palai Bhaskara Iyer, T.G. Krishna Iyer, K. Ramanathan, M.V.Janardhanan, Cycle Sesha Iyer often collecting rice and provisions from all over Kerala, carrying them in person and providing nutritious food to hungry travelers continues on this mission living up to the spirit of giving. Many more selfless people like M.S. ViswanathaIyer, C.R. VenkitaramaIyer, Wadala Krishna Iyer, T.R. Krishnamoorthy, Bombay KalyanaSundaram, U.B. Dutt, E.P. Ananthakrishnan, A.S.VenkitaramaIyer, Prof.Dandapani, R.A. Iyer, K.R. Ramanathan, S.S.Mani and S.P. Ananthakrishnanto mention a few, worked heart and soul to further strengthen its activities.