As the country came together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) once again stepped beyond the kitchens and dining rooms to touch lives through NRAI Santa’s Cause 2025; NRAI’s annual CSR initiative. Launched in 2019 by the NRAI Kolkata Chapter, Santa’s Cause has since grown into a nationwide programme, bringing together restaurateurs across city chapters in a shared commitment to compassion, inclusion and community care. The 2025 edition witnessed chapter-specific initiatives across multiple cities, reflecting the industry’s collective social responsibility.
Rooted in the belief that the festive season should be meaningful for everyone, NRAI Santa’s Cause 2025 was rolled out across multiple cities in partnership with credible non-profit organisations. The initiative addressed pressing social needs—from underprivileged children and abandoned senior citizens to women in shelter homes and children requiring critical medical intervention—offering not just material support, but moments of warmth, dignity and reassurance.
“NRAI Santa’s Cause reflects the restaurant community’s deep-rooted commitment to giving back,” said Sagar Daryani, President, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). “Hospitality is not limited to our restaurants—it is about empathy, responsibility and standing by communities that need care the most. Seeing our members across cities come together year after year to support meaningful causes is truly inspiring.”
In Delhi NCR, spanning the Delhi, Noida and Gurugram chapters, Santa’s Cause 2025 focused on supporting underprivileged children and abandoned senior citizens. In collaboration with NGOs such as Donate a Meal Trust, Noida Deaf Society, Shikshalaya, Than Singh Ki Paatshala and The Earth Saviours Foundation, Christmas gifts and essential supplies were distributed to over 400 children, spreading festive cheer and a sense of inclusion.
Extending its impact beyond one-day celebrations, NRAI is also providing infrastructure support to permanent shelter homes for over 400 senior citizens across the region. Recognising the challenges faced by the elderly, especially during winter, the initiative aims to ensure long-term care, dignity and comfort.
The NRAI Kolkata Chapter, where Santa’s Cause was first launched in 2019, once again led a large-scale outreach effort. The chapter reached nearly 3,000 children through partnerships with institutions including St. Xavier’s School, Ramrik School, St. James School, Bustee Welfare, Tata Medical Centre and other community organisations. Entirely planned, executed and funded by chapter members, the initiative combined gift distribution with interactive celebrations featuring music, dance and poetry—creating memorable festive experiences for children.
In Chennai, the NRAI Chapter aligned Santa’s Cause with a life-saving mission. In partnership with the Noel Foundation, members launched a fundraising drive to support paediatric heart surgeries for children with congenital heart defects, setting a target of ₹4 lakh to enable two critical procedures. The initiative highlighted the power of collective goodwill in delivering timely medical intervention.
Meanwhile, the NRAI Vadodara Chapter collaborated with Nari Sanrakshan Gruh, an abandoned women’s shelter, to distribute winter essentials such as sweaters, scarves and socks to residents—ensuring comfort, care and protection during the colder months.
Through Santa’s Cause 2025, NRAI once again demonstrated that the Indian restaurant industry stands firmly rooted in community values. As restaurateurs across the country donned Santa hats and stepped into neighbourhoods, shelters and hospitals, the initiative transformed festive goodwill into tangible, on-ground impact—spreading hope, warmth and cheer to thousands.
