Give Back with a Snack - How Twin Sisters & Rising Social Entrepreneurs are Addressing Food Waste Around the Globe
“Over the past four years, we have collected and donated over 15,000 snacks that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.” today’s women dreamers, two high school students, Sia and Simi Gandhi, are on a mission to address the growing issue of food waste and provide snacks to communities in need across the globe. Inspired by an eye-opening trip to Kenya where they saw food inequity first-hand, the sisters launched their nonprofit, “Give Back with a Snack” They share their vision for future young leaders and their top tips to other young, budding social entrepreneurs looking to start their own initiatives. With a motivation to be the woman leaders of tomorrow, they state, “To us, women empowerment is taking it in our own hands to accomplish our dreams. Women empowerment is not waiting for someone else to give us an okay, but to fearlessly do what we are passionate about.” Enjoy their stories below!
1) Tell us your stories. What inspired you both to start Give Back with a Snack? What was that need you saw?
Our parents grew up in developing countries where, for many, putting food on the table every night was sadly unrealistic. Growing up, we were always told to be conscious of the food we wasted. We never completely understood why, until we visited our fathers hometown in Kenya, Africa in 2013. That week became the most eye-opening days of our lives. In Kenya, we witnessed the harsh toll that poverty and hunger took on many families. From then on, we have strived to make a positive difference in the lives of families, children, and people who suffer from hunger.
2) You are also both in high school - kudos to you on giving back so early in life. What has it been like being such young social entrepreneurs?
In our work, we have come across many amazing people and organizations. We often immerse ourselves in their communities, and are so grateful for their mentorship. Their pearls of wisdom have truly been inspiring. Additionally, it is a pleasure to teach students, the leaders of tomorrow, the importance of learning about food insecurity, hunger, and being sustainable from a young age. It is our hope to inspire student participants, but it is truly our student participants who inspire us. Throughout unprecedented times, they have been understanding and giving. Their effort and drive to not only connect to, but also improve their communities every single day is absolutely astounding.
3) Tell us more about Give Back with a Snack. How many snacks have you donated so far, and what have been some of the most rewarding moments from running this project?
Our wonderful four year journey with Give Back with a Snack has taught us so much. Over the past four years, we have collected and donated over 15,000 snacks that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. We are in the process of implementing our program internationally in hopes to reach people around the globe. We are also proud to announce that we are officially a non-profit organization! Although we are proud of our material accomplishments, our proudest moments can not be measured in a number or a status. Giving back to our community and teaching others that they can do the same has truly been so rewarding. It is not only us, but our participants who have reached so many communities and touched so many lives. Watching the leaders of tomorrow take on world hunger and succeeding has been a reminder that our small actions of kindness really can help so many in need. This program started out with one school in one town and we never imagined it would be where it is today: reaching thousands, all thanks to our participants and their drive.
4) What are your top 3 tips to other students looking to do community service/give back? How can they find opportunities/start their own initiatives?
Helping our communities can exist in many forms. No action of kindness is too small. In fact, our motto at Give Back with a Snack is “our small acts of kindness can help many in need.” The first tip we would give is that all actions of kindness, no matter the size, make a difference. For example, every single snack placed in the bin is one snack that is staying out of a landfill and one snack helping a person in need. Start with an idea and be willing to put it into action. Our second tip in creating an initiative would be to give back to a cause you deeply care for. Designing a community engagement program can be tricky and overwhelming. However, in choosing a focus that peaks your interest, your inspiration and motivation will naturally flow. Be sure to share that inspiration with others. Tell family and friends why your initiative matters and let them know how they can contribute. Allow your passions to fuel your work. Lastly, we have learned that outreach is vital. We would not be where we are today without the help from great teachers, students, and food pantries. Do not be afraid to ask for help. There will be times where you may feel down and defeated, but put in the work and persevere. You are capable of turning your downs into ups.
6) What does women empowerment mean to you? Who is an empowered woman you admire in your lives?
To us, women empowerment is taking it in our own hands to accomplish our dreams. Women empowerment is not waiting for someone else to give us an okay, but to fearlessly do what we are passionate about. To us, women empowerment is about setting high goals, being ambitious, and maintaining confidence along the way. Women Empowerment is not being defined by what other people say, but instead, setting your own standards. Most importantly, women empowerment is turning words into actions while bringing others along to reap the benefits of the movement. An empowered woman who we admire in our lives is our mother. She inspires us to continue with this initiative. There have been hard days in our initiative, especially throughout the pandemic. But, whenever we feel down, she reminds us why we started and it always raises our spirits, giving us motivation to continue. Thanks mom, we would not be where we are today without you!
Bio: Sia and Simi Gandhi are the co-founders of the non-profit “Give Back With a Snack.” Incorporated in 2017, “Give Back With a Snack” strives to reduce food waste while helping those in need. In this program, students learn about hunger and how they can be a part of the solution. Essentially, the program places a bin in school cafeterias. Students who have snacks that they do not wish to eat can place these snacks in the bin. These snacks are donated to food pantries for people in need to enjoy. The twins are sophomore students at Phillips Academy.