Finding Food for Everyone

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Manya Mohan. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

When she was a child, Manya Mohan volunteered to pack meals for distribution to those facing food insecurity, but the gravity of what she was doing didn’t fully sink in until much later. It was only after seeing hunger firsthand on a trip abroad that she understood the difference a meal could make. But that’s not all. She also realized that being unable to access food isn’t just a foreign problem. It affects people in her own town.

A year and a half ago, Manya founded Bites Beyond Borders to address it. Now, she provides funding and volunteer power to initiatives focused on food insecurity year-round, engaging more than 200 people from across the county to help. For example, the organization has supported a local ROTC group in distributing 1,000 warm meals to unhoused veterans.

Manya is a member of the Youth Commission for her city government where she listens to community members talk about issues and focuses on solutions for young residents. She also listens for problems she might not be able to solve on the commission, but for which Bites Beyond Borders can step in.
Now a 17-year-old college freshman, Manya is working towards a career in international relations, in which she can use her empathy and understanding of the world to build bridges and enhance cooperation across borders.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I’ve been volunteering since elementary school with a local meal packing organization. At the end of ninth grade, I got to travel throughout India before my family moved. I saw firsthand how many people are affected by lack of access to food. Until then, when I’d packed meals, I didn’t think too much about it; it was just this thing that we did.

When I came back, I realized that it wasn’t something that just happens across the world. It happens in my own neighborhood, and it’s something many of us have been ignorant of. That’s what inspired me to start the organization.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Bites Beyond Borders.

Right now, we’re working to open up mini food pantries in places like our local community colleges that we’ll help keep stocked. After government cuts in SNAP funding, a lot of pantries around us shut down permanently. With low local funding and not being a priority, many had few other options. I’m also on the Youth Commission, so I hear about issues through that, too, like how it was affecting families that relied on these facilities.

My day-to-day involves planning that, reaching out to people, attending local events and trying to find opportunities for funding. We’ve received some great grants, but most of our funding is from going to the farmers market, setting up stands and talking to people. I also identify people in our community who need support and figure out how we can help them. We’ve even partnered with the organization I’ve volunteered for since elementary school and have packed meals for more than 18,000 people in the Caribbean.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

My priority is getting those food pantries off the ground. We’d also love to have more members and to expand nationally and even internationally. This is something I want to do for many years to come.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

We’re in a time where hope can be lost. Seeing how many people are willing to help, how many people have donated or spread the word has been so rewarding. Everyday people really do care, and everyone wants to make an impact.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Don’t be put off by rejection. I started this organization as a school project, and for that, you need an advisor. I was new to the school, so I didn’t know anybody. Every lunch break, instead of going out to eat, I’d pick a school building and knock on every door to pitch them my idea. I thought someone would say yes immediately, but I probably got over 50 nos. Many teachers just didn’t have the capacity. Some thought it wasn’t realistic. Knowing in my heart that I wanted to do this and why it meant so much gave me the power to persevere.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

We’re planning to do some things at the annual Day of Service, which was a great event for us last year. It’s a local event, where a bunch of organizations can come out and meet people. Last year, I met a lady who told me about it on the last day to sign up, so I was able to get in. We raised quite a lot of money there and met people who later gave us grants that changed the trajectory of our organization. I want to host more meal-packing events, too.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

We all live on this planet. It’s our duty to help each other. We’re so divided by everything right now; the only way we can find unity is by helping each other and showing up for people in need.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Just go do it. Whatever you’re worried about, you’re only going to get over it with practice. As with most things, when you start off, you’re not going to know everything about it. You’re going to learn in the process of doing it. Start by reaching out to an organization near you, and tell them you’re interested. Ask how you can help.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I hope people are inspired to not only initiate change but also have empathy for one another. Hunger happens in our own neighborhoods, to people we walk past every day, to our friends. You never know what someone’s going through. Make sure you’re always empathetic and willing to help. Lead with a kind heart.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Manya? Find local volunteer opportunities.