Mahes, a 17‑year‑old student from Fairfax County, first sold cupcakes at his school’s annual bake‑sale to fund local charities. The modest campaign caught the eye of community leaders, prompting him to rethink the project’s scope.
In May 2024, he officially founded the Nourishin Ninjas, recruiting over 150 volunteers from nearby high schools. The group trains youth in food‑safety protocols and coordinates with local businesses to collect surplus produce and baked goods.
Since its inception, the Ninjas have diverted more than 300,000 pounds of food from landfills, delivering the rescued items to Anna Sudha Community Kitchens and other distribution centers. The kitchens now feed thousands of families each month in Northern Virginia.
Under Mahes’s leadership, the program has raised nearly $52,000 through donations and grants, covering transportation, storage, and emergency food purchases. In recognition of his work, Mahes was appointed Youth Advisor on the Anna Sudha board, where he shapes outreach strategies.
One beneficiary, the Patel family from Alexandria, reported that the weekly deliveries have replaced last month’s grocery bill of $200. The Ninjas plan to double their distribution sites by the fall, expanding into neighboring counties.