BANA’s community members and volunteers are dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission and bylaws. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, BANA regularly hosted events such as the Summer Picnic and Fall Street Festival to bring the Nepali community together and explore different cultural elements, including food, music, and dance. However, during the pandemic, BANA became a major community support organization, working to help its community members with issues such as transitioning to remote work, unemployment benefits, and other financial issues. The organization has also raised funds to support Nepali people and other communities affected by the pandemic and other disasters around the world and ran a temporary food bank during the pandemic to assist those in need.
In addition to these efforts, BANA has provided hundreds of COVID tests to the Nepali community and various other communities through its Community Resource Center in Parkville, Maryland. The organization has also hosted online webinars on topics such as stress management, unemployment, and small business to provide support and resources to those affected by the pandemic. After the vaccine was approved, BANA worked with Baltimore County and the state of Maryland to administer hundreds of COVID-19 shots, helping to protect its community from the spread of the virus.
BANA offers a range of community empowerment programs, including dance classes, language classes, yoga and fitness classes, immigration support, and other education and sports events. These programs empower and support the community, providing resources and opportunities for personal and professional development. The organization is led by President Subodha B. Panta, and can be reached by email at info@banaonline.org or by phone at (410) 657-9373. BANA is located at 2906 Taylor Avenue, Parkville, Maryland 21234.
