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What started as a simple dessert fundraiser organised by a teenager two years ago has grown into a student-led volunteer project that has rescued more than 300,000 pounds of food for families across Northern Virginia.
Dhevesh Mahes started his sweet treats project to raise money for charity, but the effort soon grew after he connected with local community leaders. He saw how much good food was being thrown away while many local families struggled to afford groceries. Mahes then formed the Nourishin Ninjas, a youth team working directly with Anna Sudha Community Kitchens. According to profile information from nonprofit organisation Points of Light, which named Mahes a Daily Point of Light Award honoree, the youth group has kept more than 300,000 pounds of food from ending up in landfills.
Instead, the rescued produce, baked goods and prepared meals are given to families across the region who are facing food insecurity.
Mobilising youth volunteers and local partners
The Nourishin Ninjas has grown largely by bringing together student volunteers from schools in the area. Since starting the project, Mahes has recruited and organised more than 150 young people across the region. The volunteers handle tasks such as collecting surplus food, packing food boxes, managing deliveries and helping with weekly distributions.
To keep a steady supply of rescued food, Mahes has created partnerships with more than 10 local businesses, grocery stores and community organisations.
These partners donate extra food that might otherwise be thrown away because of limited shelf life or excess stock. The team also focuses on making sure families can easily access the food. Many low-income households may have difficulty travelling to food pantries located far from their homes.
To help, Mahes worked with family liaisons at local public schools. These school-based staff members help identify families who need support and arrange for groceries and hot meals to be delivered closer to where they live.
Raising funds and expanding community leadership
The youth project has also worked to build a reliable source of funding. Under Mahes's leadership, the Nourishin Ninjas has raised nearly $52,000 through donations and grants. The money helps pay for operating costs, vehicle transport, storage equipment and emergency food purchases for partner distribution networks.
Mahes's community work also led to his appointment as a Youth Advisor on the board of directors at Anna Sudha Community Kitchens.
In that role, he helps with outreach plans and promotes greater involvement by students in solving community problems. In an interview with Points of Light, Mahes said his motivation comes partly from his family. He described his grandfather as an important influence who showed him the importance of helping others quietly and without expecting anything in return. "My grandfather helped people simply because it was the right thing to do," Mahes said in the Points of Light feature. Mahes said he hopes the group's work shows how much young people can contribute to their communities right now. He believes teenagers should be seen as active members of civic life rather than only as future leaders who have to wait until they are older. With new business partnerships and fundraising efforts underway, the Nourishin Ninjas continues to expand its weekly food distribution across Northern Virginia.
