Columbus teen turns leftovers into $100K food donation network
Seventeen-year-old Jiya Patel founded Thrive2Gethr, a student-led network that connects restaurants with food banks to reduce waste and combat hunger. The initiative has grown to 40 chapters and facilitated over $100,000 in food donations.
Why it matters
The initiative highlights how youth-led grassroots organizations can effectively address systemic issues like food insecurity and commercial waste.
At just 17, Jiya Patel is already making an impact far beyond her school in Columbus, Georgia. A rising senior, Jiya balances academics with the school golf team, Honor Council and Student Live Committee, where she helps organise events such as prom and pep rallies. But her biggest contribution extends beyond the school campus.According to Points of Light, Jiya is the co-founder of Thrive2Gethr, a student-led initiative that tackles two major issues at once: food waste and food insecurity.
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