More Than Just Pickles: How Ranjana Agarwal’s Pickle-MeUp is a Force for Good

Residing in the heart of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Ranjana Agarwal’s passion for cooking and desire to serve the needy gave birth to a business that blossomed into an extraordinary vessel for philanthropy. Pickle-MeUp, her pickle selling business, funds various charitable organizations today, that provide artificial limbs and organize free cataract surgeries, making her an unsung hero. Her journey is a testament in how a simple idea, driven by deep passion and faith, can become a powerful force for societal betterment. Far exceeding the usual scope of a home-based enterprise, Ranjana Agarwal has dedicated her life to touching countless lives through generous actions, embodying the true spirit of charity.

Here’s looking at her incredible story, one of destiny, dedication, and unshakeable faith in God, that has helped her reach where she is today.

Charity begins at home and should be kept going

Ranjana Agarwal’s journey toward service was inspired by multiple threads. She has always been motivated by the desire to serve society and a strong sense of spirituality, often facing serious health challenges within her family that led her to dedicate her life to serving Lord Shiva and helping those in need.

Growing up, her family fostered an environment of service; she watched her father constantly helping the poor, and her uncle was actively involved in charitable works through the Lions Club. Her father taught her a crucial lesson: the poor are part of our family, and just as we care for the weak within our own kin, we must support those who are vulnerable in the community. 

However, the specific direction of her current work was catalyzed by a profoundly emotional incident. She moved to the US when her husband got a job in the country and just when her pickle business was picking up pace, Ranjana encountered Gayatri Kapoor, a coordinator of another charitable organization, who was deeply saddened by the death of a poor 10-year-old patient. The child had returned home without treatment simply because the family lacked the necessary funds, and subsequently passed away within a month. This tragedy struck Ranjana to her core, leaving her unable to sleep for four days. The idea that a child’s life was lost purely due to poverty haunted her, and she felt an insistent inner voice urging her: “You can do something”. Overwhelmed by this compulsion, she told her husband that she needed to find a way to serve, eventually dedicating herself to the pickle-making venture that she felt God had already placed in front of her. 

From Hobby to Humanitarian Aid: How the Business Works

The creation of Pickle-MeUp itself was entirely accidental. While visiting her brother in Dallas, she felt inexplicably drawn to some beautiful green chilies in an Indian store, and since they didn’t consume chillies at home, an idea sparked: she decided to make pickle (achar) and charge a minimum price for it. The response she received was overwhelming; everyone bought the pickles and immediately asked for more, creating the initial spark that led to the start of the business, and setting the base for bigger things that were waiting to happen.

Initially, establishing customer trust and getting the word out required immense effort. To encourage sales, she began making mathri (a famous snack among the Agarwal community) and offered pickle samples alongside. Sales required efforts, owing to the high prices that were driven by good quality and need to fund her charitable initiatives. Ranjana credits the growth of her business largely to word of mouth, with her friends and neighbors providing crucial support since the beginning.

The Impact: Changing Lives Across India

“I don’t want fame, I am just a mediator.” She smiles, saying the only reason she uses her name is to build trust and make people aware the business is genuine. She sees her business not just as a source of income but as a vehicle for charity, believing that God is the true doer.

Wanting more ways to help the needy, she also personally knits thousands of blankets and then donates these blankets, including some to foster care children as Christmas gifts. She is also a great advocate for organ donation believing that the human body should not go to waste after death. 

Beyond blankets, the funds raised by Pickle-MeUp support critical, life-saving initiatives:

1. Mobility and Surgery: She funds the donation of artificial limbs and Jaipur Foot, providing more than 150 such items in one year. Crucially, she finances surgeries for people, often children, suffering from polio or birth defects like twisted feet or fused fingers. These procedures, such as fixing misaligned feet, can cost up to ₹30,000. This aid is vital for the extremely poor—like vegetable vendors earning only ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 a month—who could never afford these necessary medical expenses otherwise.
2. Health Care: She organizes and funds free cataract surgeries and provides free dialysis for poor kidney patients who require treatment three times a week. She believes that assisting one family member with these costs helps the entire household, allowing them to pay rent, afford school fees, or even celebrate a child’s birthday.
3. Other Support: She funds the support of blind and orphaned girls. She recently raised ₹5 lakh within 15 to 20 days to cover the initial tests for a 10-12 year old cancer patient, helping save the child’s life. She also supports infrastructure projects, such as building a room and bathroom at a blind school in Patna.

If you believe you can, you will

Ranjana Agarwal’s life demonstrates that success is not measured in profit margins but in the lives uplifted. You can support the business if you are settled in the US, she ships  to 40+ states,  her page is available on Facebook- the Pickle-MeUp page, and she is available on WhatsApp (287-509-513). 

“To think of the underprivileged on special occasions- birthdays, anniversaries, weddings- that’s the least we can do to help the ones in need.” She believes, and how meaningful is that statement.

How has Ranjana Agarwal’s story inspired you to use your own talents or business ideas to support a cause you are passionate about and spread good vibes? Share your thoughts below!