Munch w Mal

I started Munch w Mal because I kept seeing the same problem over and over again: kids and families don’t always have access to simple, healthy snacks. I’m talking about the kind of food you can eat right away without needing a fridge, stove, or even a kitchen. For people living in transitional housing, experiencing homelessness, or relying on food pantries, that kind of snack can make a huge difference.

Through Munch w Mal, I collect and deliver those kinds of foods: things that are allergy-friendly, lower in sugar, and actually filling. Not just the super-processed stuff you usually see in emergency food bags. I manage the whole process myself, whether it’s picking up donations through Porch 2 Pantries, ordering from my Amazon list with the help of community donations, or packing and delivering baskets by hand.

So far, I’ve partnered with more than 15 food pantries and nonprofits across Pennsylvania, and each one reinforces why this work matters. A granola bar or pack of trail mix might seem small, but to the kid who gets it, it can mean focus in class or energy to get through the day. To me, it’s about dignity too, and giving families choices and options, not just whatever’s left on the shelf.

This project has taught me that even as a high school student, I can help close the nutrition gap in my own community. And the best part? When neighbors, friends, and supporters pitch in, those small efforts add up into something much bigger.