A Virginia teenager named Dhevesh Mahes initiated a dessert fundraiser two years ago that evolved into the Nourishin Ninjas, a youth-led volunteer project rescuing over 300,000 pounds of food for families in Northern Virginia facing food insecurity. The group works with local partners to collect and distribute surplus food, while also raising nearly $52,000 to cover operational costs and emergency purchases. Mahes has recruited more than 150 youth volunteers and partnered with over ten businesses to ensure that rescued food reaches those who need it most through school-based deliveries.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Dhevesh Mahes, a Virginia teenager, started a dessert fundraiser two years ago to raise money for charity. This initiative grew into the Nourishin Ninjas, a youth team working with Anna Sudha Community Kitchens and other partners. They have rescued over 300,000 pounds of food that might otherwise be discarded due to limited shelf life or excess stock. The group has kept this food from landfills and distributed it to families in need across Northern Virginia. Points of Light, a nonprofit organization, recognized Mahes as a Daily Point of Light Award honoree for his efforts. The project mobilizes youth volunteers from local schools and works with various community partners to address food insecurity effectively.
Written for “Teen Fundraiser Soccer Team Rescue” on 2026-09-18,
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No political leaning scored for article 17039 · logged 2026-09-18
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.
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that → start → 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.
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he → start → leaders
He saw how much good food was being thrown away while many local families struggled to afford groceries.
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families → see → groceries
Mahes then formed the Nourishin Ninjas, a youth team working directly with Anna Sudha Community Kitchens.
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Mahes → form → 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.
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group → accord → landfills
Instead, the rescued produce, baked goods and prepared meals are given to families across the region who are facing food insecurity.
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who → rescue → insecurity
Mobilising youth volunteers and local partners
The Nourishin Ninjas has grown largely by bringing together student volunteers from schools in the area.
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Ninjas → mobilise → area
Since starting the project, Mahes has recruited and organised more than 150 young people across the region.
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Mahes → start → region
The volunteers handle tasks such as collecting surplus food, packing food boxes, managing deliveries and helping with weekly distributions.
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volunteers → handle → distributions
To keep a steady supply of rescued food, Mahes has created partnerships with more than 10 local businesses, grocery stores and community organisations.
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Mahes → keep → businesses
These partners donate extra food that might otherwise be thrown away because of limited shelf life or excess stock.
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that → donate → life
The team also focuses on making sure families can easily access the food.
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access → focus → food
Many low-income households may have difficulty travelling to food pantries located far from their homes.
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households → have → homes
To help, Mahes worked with family liaisons at local public schools.
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Mahes → help → 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.
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they → base → support
Raising funds and expanding community leadership
The youth project has also worked to build a reliable source of funding.
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project → raise → funding
Under Mahes's leadership, the Nourishin Ninjas has raised nearly $52,000 through donations and grants.
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Ninjas → raise → donations
The money helps pay for operating costs, vehicle transport, storage equipment and emergency food purchases for partner distribution networks.
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money → help → networks
Mahes's community work also led to his appointment as a Youth Advisor on the board of directors at Anna Sudha Community Kitchens.
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work → lead → Kitchens
In that role, he helps with outreach plans and promotes greater involvement by students in solving community problems.
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he → help → problems
In an interview with Points of Light, Mahes said his motivation comes partly from his family.
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motivation → say → family
He described his grandfather as an important influence who showed him the importance of helping others quietly and without expecting anything in return.
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who → describe → return
"My grandfather helped people simply because it was the right thing to do," Mahes said in the Points of Light feature.
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Mahes → help → feature
Mahes said he hopes the group's work shows how much young people can contribute to their communities right now.
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people → say → communities
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.
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they → believe → leaders
With new business partnerships and fundraising efforts underway, the Nourishin Ninjas continues to expand its weekly food distribution across Northern Virginia.
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Ninjas → continue → Virginia
The Aporia
