FoodBlessed

Maya Terro is a life-long political, social, and environmental activist.She was introduced to food activism in 2012 and since then has made it her personal mission to put an end to hunger and food waste in Lebanon.She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of FoodBlessed, a pioneering national hunger-relief and food rescue-initiative in Lebanon.Through its work, the community-based and volunteer-driven organization aspires to unite and nourish communities through the power of food, social responsibility, and volunteerism. Under Maya’s direction and with the help of thousands of volunteers, FoodBlessed has been able to successfully deliver 1,000,000 meals to those in need while diverting nearly 150 tonnes of food from landfills.Maya holds a B.Sc. in Biology and a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from the American university of Beirut;an M.A. in Development Economics and International Cooperation from the University of Rome II; and an MSC. in Migration,Mobility,and Development from SOAS,University of London.

FoodBlessed believes that Food is an Act of Love,for the Planet and its People.It is a vital tool for supporting our local communities,bringing us together and connecting us as human beings.That’s why in addition to feeding empty bellies(tackling hunger)and diverting food from landfills(tackling food waste and climate change);we also use food to build communities,tackle loneliness,and provide spaces for diverse people to meet and mingle.In the long run,we strive to create a cultural shift.It is only when people see and appreciate the value of food,will they stop wasting it and start sharing it.Spreading awareness is key here and we are already seeing the fruits of our hard work.We also believe that by helping one person elevate another,we have paved the way towards elevating the whole of humanity.By empowering others to bring positive change,our volunteering program has rebuilt the dignity of those in need and restored their confidence in their community.

Poverty and food insecurity have always been prevailing issues in Lebanon.In 2018,it was estimated that over 30% of the Lebanese population lives under the poverty line rendering them incapacitated and constrained to secure adequate food at all times.Simultaneously,one third of all the food produced in Lebanon is lost or wasted daily.This inefficiency has enormous economic, environmental and social consequences but also presents an enormous opportunity for tackling food insecurity.Moreover, being poor or a refugee in Lebanon is tied to bullying,humiliation and ostracism!At FoodBlessed,the problem that we are trying to solve is the twin problems of food waste and hunger.FoodBlessed aims to replace the customary food-as-charity, needs-based model with a proactive rights-based approach to food security.Since the COVID-19 crisis,poverty has reached 40% and is estimated to reach 60% before end of 2020.Our services are needed more than ever.Inflation and unemployment rates are soaring.Lebanon was in deep crisis even before the COVID-19 outbreak which has only exacerbated an already devastating economic crisis and uncovered the inadequacies of the Lebanese social protection system.While we have little control over the flawed policies and sudden shocks that have thrust Lebanon into its worst economic crisis in decades,we can do a lot in terms of hunger-relief.

FoodBlessed believes that achieving zero hunger necessitates that no more food is lost or wasted.FoodBlessed’s activities are directly conducive to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,particularly SDGs 2 and 12.Moreover, it indirectly contributes to the enhancement of SDG1,3 and 13.Over the past 8 years,thanks to youth engagement,social responsibility and community leadership,we’ve successfully SERVED 1,000,000 MEALS, RESCUED over 150 000 tonnes of SURPLUS FOOD,and INVOLVED more than 3000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS,including individuals and institutions.The current broken Lebanese economy will probably need a min of 5 years to recover.In this period,we will be deligently working on providing food assistance to lebanese families across the whole of lebanon on a weekly basis,be it through a meal or a food parcel.To this end we will need all the help we can get in terms of financial and human support.To put it in numbers,one food parcel costs us $19 and is enough to provide food sustenance to a family of 4 for 3-4 weeks.To this date,we have successfully distributed 5000 food parcels across the whole of lebanon.Currently we have 11, 000 regsistered families alone, lebanese and non lebanese.That's almost $ 209,000 to be spent on food assistance packages alone.Then there are those awaiting for registration to resume!

FoodBlessed has always strived to unite and nourish communities through the power of food, social responsibility, and volunteer-ism.This means the work we do directly and meaningfully improves the community-at-large! By offering food supplies,preparing meals as well as raising awareness regarding food waste,our work not only brings hope and meaning to those we seek to serve aka people in need or 'our guests' as we like to address them;it also enriches the lives of those helping us achieve this goal viz. our volunteers or 'Hunger Heroes' as we call them!In addition to providing food assistance to vulnerable Lebanese families,FoodBlessed also supports other vulnerable communities including refugees,domestic migrant workers,drug addicts,single mothers,widows and spinsters,people with special needs as well as the LGTBQ community.This is made possible thanks to our network of local partners which includes local NGOs and municipalities as well as our extended network of volunteers and various community members.What are we doing to understand their needs?We observe. We listen.We act.As we provide them the opportunity to be hear and to rise above their need for food and try to focus on other urgent needs such as education or medication, we empower them to give back one day which they often do!

Being volunteer-driven and community-based,FoodBlessed's core work elevates the opportunities of those it seeks to help especially those deprived of their right to food as well as those of offering their help.It also works on elevating understanding of and between people through changing their attitudes,beliefs,and behaviors towards 'poverty' and 'food waste'.At FoodBlessed,we believe that the heart ache that feeling ostracized brings tis sometimes worse than the stomach ache that comes with sleeping on an empty belly.FoodBlessed also believes that when people see and appreciate the value of food,they will stop wasting it less and start sharing it more.

When describing myself, I always say I'm a life-long activist. In spite of the many challenges Lebanon faces on a daily basis, I have taken it upon myself to lead by example and be the change I want to see happen around me. That said, I think I've always been a food activist way before I knew that "food activism" was actually a thing. With FoodBlessed, I was able to turn my passion for food and my pursuit of empowering others into a humanitarian mission that “nourishes" individuals, communities, and public institutions to promote positive change in their country, one meal at a time. It all started in 2012 as part of a competition organizaed by CSR Al Ahli and my team's idea won first place and that was the sign me and my team probably needed to carry on with this project. I think if we haven't won back then, FoodBlessed might have never been born!Both of my teammates left after our first year.I've been managing FoodBlessed on my own since then!It has been very challenging but a big learning experience.1,000,000 meals later,not a day passes that I don't learn something new or meet someone extraordinary,all thanks to FoodBlessed

I have always sought to BE the CHANGE I want to see happen around me.With FoodBlessed,I was able to turn my passion for food and my pursuit of empowering others into a humanitarian mission that “nourishes" individuals,communities,and public institutions to promote positive change in their country, one meal at a time.I have always believed in the power of food in bringing people together and in eliciting positive change!Naturally,the particualr path I chose to tread has caused me a lot of pain, backlashing and resistance and at many time hate.There were so many times that I felt I just cant carry on anymore--the physical and emotional burden that comes with my line of work can be very heavy.My anxiety has actually worsened over the years.It's very easy to feel like giving up when you feel drained!In these hard times,I have learned to always remind myself that while I can't save everyone,I can try and trying is half the battle.Moreover, so many people look up to me --my commitment to the cause,resiliene and perseverance have been and still remain to be an inspiration to many.I simply can't let them down.

I always say let my work speak for me.I'm pretty smart and used that to my advantage since I wouldn't have been able to afford my education was it not for the scholarships that I won.A bit about my academic background: I holds a B.Sc. in Biology and a Masters of Public Health(MPH) from the American University of Beirut.I also hold an MA in Development Economics and International Cooperation from the University of Rome II and an MSC. in Migration, Mobility, and Development from SOAS, the University of London as a Chevening Scholar. My hard work and dedication has been acknowledged and praised worldwide. I've won several awards including ‘CSR In Action’-Lebanon (2012),King Abdullah II ‘Award for Youth Innovation & Achievement’ –Jordan (2014), LAU’s ‘Spirit of Service Award’-Lebanon (2015), MBC al Amal ‘Humanitarian of the Year Award’ -Dubai (2016), and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Top 24 Women Humanitarians -New York(2019).I am also winner of the popular Al-Jadeed TV reality show Political Idol “El-Za3im”.I ran with “Madaniyya” as an independent candidate for parliament in the district of Chouf -Aley in 2018.For a community-based and volunteer-driven organization meaning with zero staff and no major funding entities,not to mention with zero support from the government,FoodBlessed has been able to achieve the unachievable. Under my direction and with the help of thousands of volunteers, to date, FoodBlessed has successfully delivered 1,000,000 meals and 10,000 food assistance packages to those in need while diverting nearly 150 tones of food from landfill.

Our troubles don’t define us,how we handle them does.Adveristy comes in many different forms-social, emotional, spiritual,mental,and financial.I've had my fair share of adveristies and was able to overcome every single one of them like the time i had to manage FoodBlessed from my sofa because of a physical injury that left me uncapable of walking for a month,like the time when my social anxiety made it so hard for me to communicate with others or even attend public events which I have eventually managed to come in terms with and accept and overcome,like the time when I couldn't afford uni but ended up with three masters degrees,like the time when I was emotionally devastated after having lost the love of my life only to come out of it stronger than ever,like the time when my depression and anxiety made me doubt my abilities to lead FoodBlessed which I also overcame..to name a few!In my line of work,in addition to my own,I am faced by the adversities of those I come across on a  daily basis.The emotional burden this leaves me with is unbearable.Faith is what kept me going.I strongly believe in the goodness of people.

Some of the best leadership experience examples can be for one single day or one single moment; or summed up in a single decision.In 2013, when my teammates gave up on me and FoodBlessed,the last thing they said to me was "you're next!"I was shocked. At this moment, it was either fight or flight. I chose to fight and have been fighting ever since. I had to quit my job, to start all over,lost some friends,made new enemies,was brought to shame by my fmaily members and close friends for choosing my passion over a career, but deep inside I knew that I might never have this chance again in my life.That was 7 years ago.I know it sounds surreal but I have to attest to the fact that my story with foodblessed has captured the hearts and minds of so many primarily because I was alwasy true to myself.I dont mean to brag but if you think about it,being a woman in the Middle East and being young and starting from scratch and having no income and zero staff,add to that depression and anxiety at one point,you really have to have extraordinary leadership abilities to pull something like FoodBlessed off!

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FoodBlessed aims to provide a sustainable solution to the twin problems of food insecurity and food waste.  More than that, FoodBlessed aims to replace the customary food-as-charity, needs-based model with a proactive rights-based approach to food security. In addition to raising awareness about food waste within civil society, as well as offering practical solutions to reduce food waste, one of the central ideas behind FoodBlessed was to spread awareness about the fact that the needy are needy all year long. Normally people are most enthusiastic about helping and giving back to the community during special occasions like Ramadan and Christmas, whereas in reality, people suffer from hunger all year long. Prior to establishing FoodBlessed, I used to think that people didn’t really care. FoodBlessed proved me wrong. At FoodBlessed, we use the power of food and civic engagement to enable individuals to transform their sincere care into substantial action.

Additional info: Back in 2012, I coined the word “foodblessed” because I believe that no matter what kind of food is being given, who it is being given by, and who is receiving it, preparing food and feeding people not only nourishes their bodies also their spirits. The sharing of food has always been part of the human story. Food is more than survival, food is a blessing. For me, simply put, feeding others is a way of loving them.   

please watch this: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XibqyO-67GM

HUNGER-RELIEF

activites: providing meals and food baskets to vulnerable comunities

outputs: achieve food security

short term outcomes: healthier , better fundtioning individuals

long term outcomes: zero hunger, empowering communties, eradicating hunger,policy changes,lesser need for health services, decreses in malnutrition, improved food security, policy changes

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SPREADING AWARENESS

activities: spreading awareness on food waste and hunger

outputs:public gains awareness on food waste and hunger

short term outcomes:shift in values, beliefs and attitudes, public starts creating solutions

long term outcome: nationwide reduction of avoidable food waste in households and businessed
,zero food waste,reduce/eradicate household food waste, reduce/eradicate food waste across food supply chain, reduce the harm of climate change, securing a food system that is sustainable,improved food security, economic growth, and environmental prosperity,policy changes

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FOOD RESCUE

activities: rescuing food from going to waste

outputs: reduce food goign to landfills, feed the hungry

short term outcomes: shift in values, beliefs and attitudes, public starts creating solutions

long term outcome: nationwide reduction of avoidable food waste in households and businesses, zero food waste, reduce/eradicate food waste, reduce the harm of climate change,securing a food system that is sustainable,improved food security, economic growth, and environmental prosperity,policy changes

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Currently: 1,000,000 meals. 24,000 individulas have benefited from our services, 500 volunteers,150 TONNES of food rescued

in one year, 4000 meals, 44,000 individuals in need, 1200 volunteers. 15 tonnes

In five years, 2,000, 000 meals ; 500,000 individuals, 50 tonnes

Despite the challenges, more than ever, I am determined to continue using food as a medium to promote volunteerism and solidarity in Lebanon. FoodBlessed and I are looking forward to expanding our family oh hunger heroes, FoodBlessed ambassadors; as well as out blessed bakers, cooks, and partners. We've already came a long way and we know that we still got a long way to go. So yes, of course in the years to come I aspire to serve more meals and deliver more food assistance packages to those in need in her country, while also rescuing more food from going to waste. But more than that, I hope that FodoBlessed will remain to be a beacon of hope and a creator of leaders and changemakers like myself. Do you know what I always tell my volunteers? When we give, we live -- it's not important how much you give but how much love you put into giving. As such, you don’t really need special powers to change the world, you only need strong willpower, determination, and passion. Just like a real family, my hope is that the FoodBlessed family will keep on expanding! 

-lack of financial support

-lack of governmental support

-depreciation of the currency

-increasing prices fo food commodities

-detoriorating economy

-lack of policy enforcement

-HUGE need, LIMITED recources

-lack of trucks and vans

-lack of storage space

-raising more funds

-advocacy

-hiring part-time and full-time staff

-purchasing new trucks and vans

-setting up a new kitchen

-renting out a warehouse

We work with civil society and strategic partners to tackle food waste, food insecurity, and social isolation by diverting food waste to feed those in need. We do so by running soup kitchens, hosting food drives, holding awareness sessions, and running food rescue programs that recover surplus edible food from events and excess/close-to-expiry products across Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail companies that would otherwise go to waste. The food collected is then distributed in the form of free meals and food assistance packages to underprivileged communities and local charities.

Local ngos and municipalities help us identify people in need and/or help in distribution of food assistance to these.

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We fund our work through sustained individual donations and occassional grants. Also through fundraising and setting up long term partnerships with companies under the umbreall of Corporate Social responsibility.

In addition to individual donations, we have set up three crowndfinding campaigns, the most recent of which is this: gf.me/u/w45ynj

In terms of proposals, we should be receiving a fund from PACES NGO this month for 600 boxes for palestinians and syrian refugees, total amount donated around $37,000.

we received two grants in the past one for $7,000 from KAAYIA award jordan which we used to buy kitchen appliances and $20,000 MBC hope award which we used to buy a truck, fund our soup kitchens and food assistance packages program as wella s our food rescue program!

We hope to raise or provide in funding the first and foremost amount we need to run our ngo and achieve the number we have in mind. Lat year we spent $90,000 on our operations. I can share the detailed budget of that upon your request. In the coming years we are hoping to raise an equal amount and a bit more.

$100,000

Because I think and the person who nominated me thinks FoodBlessed is well deserving!

Because in a couple of months over 60% of the population will be living under the poverty line and the whole country might go bankrupt! 

Because every little helps and i've gave this my all, it's almsot 10pm now, I started filling it at 10am,that's almost 12 hours  and i had to resubmit my answers coz the first time around the system crashed. 

I've gave this my all and i hope FoodBlessed gets the support it needs because it has been able to achieve wonders with minimum help,imagine if you guys decided to help it grow more.We might not be global,but every global insitution started somewhere,right?We are much needed in Lebanon and I believe that before we expand our services to other countries and continents we owe it to our country to try to do our best there first!.

In the end,I just want to sincerely thanks every person who took the time to go through our application and the other applications.What we do impacts so many lives,more than I ever imagined.Moreover it inspires so many and brings hope to others.When all fails, the best gift you can give anyone is that of hope!Our meal or food parcel isnt just food,it's a token of love and appreciation and we believe thatwhat makes us special is not what we do as much as how we do it,we do it with love.

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you guys! :)