2010 STOP Hunger Scholarship recipients
STOP Hunger Scholarships, a program of the Sodexo Foundation, recognizes the following students who are active in the fight against hunger and poverty in the United States
Rewarding involvement.
In 2007, the Sodexo Foundation announced a new program to recognize students who are active in the fight against hunger and poverty in the United States. Now in the fourth year, five students have been recognized as STOP Hunger Scholars for demonstrating an exemplary spirit of service.
Melissa Monette - Mililani, HI
Senior - Mililani High School
Melissa is founder and president of the non-profit organization, A Harvest for Many. She has led efforts to harvest and distribute 32,000 pounds of food, helping 295 feeding programs and reaching 133,000 individuals. Melissa solicits homeowners statewide to donate surplus fruits and vegetables, and encourages canned food drives with farms, churches, supermarkets and community service clubs in schools. On a monthly basis, she combines aerobic dance classes with vegetarian meals, including dietitian-led presentations on the dietary needs for all age groups.
Katie Stagliano - Summerville, SC
Fifth Grade - Pinewood Preparatory School
As the founder of Katie's Krops, Katie plants sustainable vegetable gardens that provide healthy food for local soup kitchens, for food banks and directly to families in need. When she is not tending the gardens, she composts to provide nutrients to help her vegetables grow. The latest project started by Katie has been to grow a sixth vegetable garden at The Palmetto House - the homeless shelter where she donates her produce. Current and former residents of the shelter, with help from Katie and her friends, planted the garden and will continue to assist by weeding, watering and fertilizing.
Michael Thomas Sullivan - Wantagh, NY
Freshman - Penn State University
At the age of 9, Michael began recovering surplus food after concerts, wedding receptions and company parties with the organization Rock and Wrap It Up. Once he learned to drive, he organized a program to pick up surplus food after sporting events at Nassau Coliseum and drive it to local shelters. Now at college, Michael continues his philanthropic efforts by rescuing surplus food from campus and donating it. Since the sixth grade he has helped make sandwiches for the needy with members of his church's outreach program, helping to serve 8,000 hot meals and making 18,000 sandwiches for hungry people. View Michael's story.
Joshua Williams - Miami Beach, FL
Fourth Grade - Fisher Island Day School
Joshua established Joshua's Heart Foundation at the age of five “so that all children would be as full as I am.” To date, Joshua's efforts have fed more than 1,000 families, raised more than $80,000 and distributed more than a quarter million pounds of food. When he is not distributing food or raising money for those in need, Joshua makes media appearances, attends events, and gives speeches at local schools - all to engage and educate the
community. View Joshua's story.
Kevin Anthony Williams - Secaucus, NJ
Sophomore - George Washington University
In 2005, Kevin founded the Wrap 4 A Smile Foundation to fight poverty and stop hunger. His efforts include coordinating annual fundraising events with local restaurants, serving as a guest speaker about hunger at after school programs, as well as setting up volunteer projects for companies and schools. To date, Kevin has prepared and served 4,100 meals, raised $60,000, and coordinated volunteers to pack and distribute 45,000 hygiene kits and 13,800 clothing and stationery items for more than 20 emergency shelters and pantries. In 2008 and 2009, Kevin was recognized as a STOP Hunger Regional Honoree for his work with the Wrap 4 A Smile Foundation.
