NEST4US

There are millions of people worldwide that don’t have access to basic necessities like food and some don’t even have families or loved ones. This is proof that the world needs people to spark change and build a better future. So, we thought, why couldn’t that be us? 

That’s why, five years ago, we, Shreyaa (18) and Esha (15) Venkat, formed NEST4US, a 501©3 non-profit dedicated to providing volunteer solutions to make the world better through kindness. Through our five core programs, we tackle food insecurity, lack of volunteering with a passion, diversity/inclusion, and a plethora of other societal issues in a multitude of ways. Over the years, our volunteer family has grown to over 1,500 of all ages and backgrounds who’ve contributed $900,000+ in value of volunteer hours! 

The Elevate Prize funding will be beneficial in supporting all our current and future community initiatives, increasing our program scalability, providing more critical resources worldwide, and delivering essential aid to more communities impacted by the global pandemic! This would be an amazing opportunity to share our story on such an impactful platform and continue expanding our kindness movement far and wide! 

Since we were young, giving back to the community was something we did often with our family. Our mom would bring us along to volunteer at school and community events even back in elementary school. That was when we were first introduced to the world of community service. The giving spirit has always been in our family for generations. We think that’s what was key: we were so passionate about volunteering right from the beginning.

It’s difficult to imagine our lives without NEST4US because service has empowered us to view the world through different lenses, where people less fortunate than us become the focus. For us, success is best measured by hard work and dedication; thus, we want to be known for the impact we make on people’s lives, not for personal recognitions. We hope to leave behind a legacy defined by love and kindness, with people remembering us as those who led from the heart and truly made a difference in the world!

Our overall vision is to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to create a more compassionate and inclusive world by instilling a passion for service through random acts of kindness!

NEST4US aims to spread awareness, advance dialogue, and take action internationally about the UN SDGs in local, national, and global communities. Through our five programs, we provide aid to thousands worldwide. 

As the global population continues growing exponentially, the demand for food is augmented. However, we have over 1.5 times the amount of food needed to feed everyone on the planet, enough for 10 billion people, the estimated world population for 2050. So why are so many living hungry when so much safe, edible food is thrown away daily? We believe there’s a simple solution— alter the current method of food distribution, allowing for people most in need of a consistent food supply to be prioritized before excess food ends up in landfills. 

Our initiative involves a dual approach that addresses both food insecurity and waste management. By coordinating effective food recovery initiatives with the help of a diverse volunteer network, NEST Nurtures works to provide nourishment to marginalized populations through our extensive meal allocation system. The advancement of food recovery will not only increase the scope of aid for those facing hunger, but will also help mitigate climate change and ensure a safer, cleaner world for future generations. 

Over the years, we’ve experienced many forms of discrimination because of our race, ethnicity, and age. When we started NEST4US, many organizations doubted the ability of youth to make a true difference. After all, we were only kids, how could we make an impact? However, being the founders of a teen-led nonprofit, we show people that you don’t need to be an adult, have special skills, or even be a superhero to spark change. Our goal through NEST4US is to make sure none of our volunteers face the same discrimination we did when trying to achieve our goals. By giving opportunities for youth to be volunteer leads, we equip the next generation with crucial leadership and communication skills. Additionally, we provide corporate volunteer opportunities where stakeholders can directly participate in service initiatives. 

As members of GenZ, technology and digital education are our prime tools for using our voices to advocate for those who need it most. Also, when you learn something at a young age, it tends to stick with you for the rest of your life. That’s why getting youth involved was crucial because they’re the hope of the future and have the power to change the world.

Whether through feeding the hungry, tutoring a child, or sending a note to someone having a rough day, we believe that every kind act, no matter how big or small, makes an impact and brightens someone’s day. It only takes 30 seconds to change someone’s entire day for the better! We strongly believe in the power of collaboration and are continually forging partnerships with other organizations to find innovative ways to help those in need. 

Community Impacts: 

• Served 100,000+ meals to disadvantaged communities

• Sponsored & served meals at 60+ shelters & food banks 

• Rescued 300,000+ pounds of food 

• Impacted kids in 250+ schools

• Provide academic & mentoring services to 14+ countries 

• Donated 10,000+ books globally

• Assembled 50,000+ care packages

• Created 15,000+ kindness notes

• Provided volunteers for 300+ community events  

• Hosted 55+ service projects & 20 leadership workshops 

The feeling you get when you contribute meaningfully to society is so fulfilling and honestly unparalleled. We may only be 18 and 15 year old kids from a small part of the US, but we believe that, with the vital traits of kindness and generosity, anyone, young or old, rich or poor, can make a meaningful difference!