Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation recognizes students and employees working to fight food insecurity within their communities

Five students and five Sodexo employees will each receive a $5,000 grant to continue their work to fight food insecurity within their communities, thanks to the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.

The winners of the 2024 Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholars and Heroes of Everyday Life awards were honored at the Annual Sodexo Charity Classic presented by PepsiCo in Marco Island, Fla. This year’s event celebrated the foundation’s 25th anniversary of leading change in the hunger space.

“Since its establishment, the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has been relentless in its efforts to eliminate childhood hunger, a monumental endeavor of significant magnitude,” said Joan McGlockton, chair of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and associate general counsel for corporate affairs at Sodexo. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the 2024 Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholars and Heroes of Everyday Life for their invaluable contribution to our ambitious mission to drive a movement of people to respond, unite and empower communities.”

The Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholars for 2024 are:

• William Cabaniss, Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow, Farragut, Tenn.
  Named a rising college freshman, William established Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow, selling homemade vanilla extract and donating all proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. His initiative has raised $210,000, funding nearly 632,000 meals for the hungry.
• Claire Chi, Dancing Against Hunger, State College, Pa.
  Recognized as a rising college freshman, Claire leads Dancing Against Hunger, a nonprofit raising funds and mobilizing against childhood hunger. As a student advocate for the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania, she works on legislation for free school meals. Claire's TEDxPSU Talk empowers youth to fight hunger.
• Brian Garrabrant, Brian’s Bagels, Margate, N.J.
  Named a rising college freshman, Brian tackles hunger and food waste through Brian’s Bagels, donating more than 100,000 unsold bagels to New Jersey and Delaware organizations. He also leads Post Crashers, a 500-student service-learning club that fights poverty and hunger and supports veterans.
• Miller Manguno, Operation Orange Haven, Germantown, Tenn.
  Recognized as a rising college junior, Miller created Operation: Orange Haven to tackle food insecurity in Tennessee, managing weekly donations, organizing projects like Thanksgiving food boxes, and fundraising for CoHope. His efforts have provided over 15,000 meals.
• Chris “CJ” Matthews, The Giving Bowl, McDonough, Ga.
  At 10 years old, CJ launched The Giving Bowl to fight hunger in his community, blending his love for football with philanthropy. His initiative has brought food and solace to 4,500 families. Recognized as a rising high school junior, CJ also leads community initiatives to give to seniors and a back-to-school kickoff.

View a video about the 2024 Stephen J. Brady scholars.

The Foundation also awarded six $1,000 hunger-fighting grants to students receiving the Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Emerging Leaders designation. Winners include:

• Adam Belouad, Hand to Hunger, Falls Church City, Va., was recognized as a rising high school senior.
• Sahasra Boggarapu, Tutor Tots, Richmond, Va., was recognized as a rising high school senior.
• Landon Brusky, The County Corner, Huntsville, Ala., was recognized as a rising college freshman.
• Rebecca Friedman, Cakes for Caring, Golden Beach, Fla., was recognized as a rising college freshman.
• Barrett Gallo, Kneading to Help, Providence, R.I., was recognized as a rising college freshman.
• Samantha Sandhaus, Feeding Philly, Philadelphia, was recognized as a rising college freshman.

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation also awards Sodexo employees who invest their time, talent and resources to fight hunger in their communities. These employees, recognized as Heroes of Everyday Life, are honored for their efforts in responding to immediate food needs in their communities as well as empowering people to rise above food insecurity.

The 2024 Heroes of Everyday Life are:

• Allison Asaro, senior area general manager, Societe Generale, New York
  Allison passionately serves her community at Feeding with TLC, Trinity Lutheran Church’s soup kitchen, demonstrating deep compassion and commitment to combating food insecurity.
• Alexis Beltre, manager, client relations, corporate staff, Buffalo
  Alexis has spent 20 years serving his company and community. Raised in the Bronx, he’s become a financial literacy champion, helping young adults break free from poverty through workshops and partnerships.
• Trudy Lovell, barista, Hospital Corp of America, Nashville
  Trudy, aka Ms. Trudy, is a cherished barista and frontline hero. Her own struggles with housing and food insecurity drive her to fight poverty in her community. Through relentless food recovery and clothing donations, she brings love and support to those in need.
• Brandon Mayle, lead systems engineer, corporate staff, Youngstown, Ohio
  President of the Sodexo Roth Volunteer Group in Youngstown, Ohio, Brandon embodies his community’s resilience. Over a decade at Sodexo, his commitment to community service goes beyond his job. Coordinating initiatives and humanitarian efforts, Brandon has supported local organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and the Rescue Mission.
• Ronnie “Ron” Melvin, operations manager, Hospital Corp of America, Nashville
  Ron’s volunteer work with Launch Pad supports LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness. With over 26 years at Sodexo, Ron goes beyond his job, offering meals, mentorship, and hope to those in need.

View a video about the 2024 Heroes of Everyday Life.

The Foundation also awarded three $1,000 hunger-fighting grants to Sodexo employees receiving the Heroes of Everyday Life Honorable Mention designation:

• Fran Alvarado, sustainability specialist, Northern Arizona University Campus Dining, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Justin Jatiram, general manager, Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto, Calif.
• Denzel K. Turner, Sr.; general manager, East Orange School District, East Orange, N.J.

“Congratulations to our 2024 Heroes of Everyday Life, who are continuously doing extraordinary work in their communities,” said Roxanne Moore, executive director of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. “They are leaders in their communities and inspire others in their personal and professional lives to be changemakers for a world without hunger.”