Meet 10 activists under 17 years old honored for helping fight food insecurity

Show Caption

Communities grappling with food insecurity have found support through activists determined to address the crisis head-on, including 10 who aren't even adults.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a “household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.”

Nearly 40 million Americans, including almost 12 million children, faced food insecurity in 2020, according to Feeding America.

Ten kids in particular are being recognized for their activism as honorees of the 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Awards. Every year, Hormel Foods highlights youth across the nation finding innovative ways to promote a transparent, secure and more sustainable food system.

The chosen group traveled to Hormel Foods headquarters in Austin, Minnesota Wednesday to connect with and learn from food leaders and pursue grants to further support their philanthropic dreams.

Meet this year's honorees:

Hunger vs Food insecurity: Here's the difference and what you should know.

Shrusti Amula, 16, founder of Rise N Shine Foundation

When Shrusti Amula learned that food waste contributes to climate change, she had an idea. The 16-year-old from Maryland decided to use the climate crisis to help address hunger and homelessness, according to Hormel's profiles of the winners.

In 2019, Shrusti founded the Rise N Shine Foundation and started her first composting program at a local school. She quickly saw the positive impact it created.

Partnering with multiple local schools and corporate sponsors, the organization currently runs composting programs in eight schools and has gathered over 150,000 meals for families facing food insecurity.

Through her efforts, she has diverted 200,000 pounds of food waste from landfills and helped schools reach the “Green School” certification process.

Cavanaugh Bell, 9, founder of Cool & Dope

Nine-year-old Cavanaugh Bell from Maryland created a nonprofit organization that aims to end bullying, spread positivity and tackle food insecurity, according to Hormel.

Cool & Dope has provided food and critical medical supplies to over 10,000 people and has been nationally recognized by elected leaders including Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Oh, my goodness, Cavanaugh, you are amazing," Harris tells the boy in a video. "The thing that you're doing, it also points out there's nothing too small or too big that can be done when you're a leader to help other people."

"I got tired of people telling me that I was too young to volunteer," Cavanaugh said about how he's felt since age five.

"And after being bullied, I channeled that darkness I felt into a massive spark to change the world!" he shared.

William Cabaniss, 17, founder of Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow

17-year-old William Cabaniss founded Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow in 2020 to help accommodate the high demand at food banks in his East Tennessee community. A news report on the rise of food security during the pandemic and his love for baking inspired his organization.

Williams makes and sells his own vanilla extract and donates the profit to Second Harvest Food Bank to tackle hunger. The group has raised over $200,000 and offered 601,215 meals to local residents.

"It has always bothered me that someone could be truly hungry," Cabaniss said on his website. "Enlightened of the struggle food banks are experiencing during the outbreak of COVID-19, I decided to start a nonprofit to raise money for a local food bank."

Claire Chi, 17, founder of Dancing Against Hunger

Claire Chi, a 17-year-old from Pennsylvania, founded Dancing Against Hunger in 2022 to combat food insecurity in schools. Her organization offers dance workshops for youth and uses the profits made through its events to donate thousands of dollars to food banks.

With over 900 participants, the organization has garnered 2,300 donations for local food banks that distribute directly to schools and low-income families. She has also presented a Ted Talk at Penn State to talk about the impact kids have had on the fight against hunger.

Chi said on her website that her father faced food insecurity as a child coming from 26 generations of fishermen and is grateful he consistently provided for a family of five.

"I have traveled to rural China and other regions stricken by poverty. I have witnessed hunger and desperation. Between myself and those who live in poverty, there is only luck; I feel so lucky that I have never gone hungry," Chi said.

"I cannot and would never be able to describe the privilege to my quality of life. I wonder: How is one able to learn, to work, to truly live without food security? My hope is that one day, no child goes hungry."

Mari Copeny, 15, founder of Flint Kids Projects

After the Flint Water Crisis struck Mari Copeny's Michigan hometown, she knew she wanted to be a catalyst for change. Through her Flint Kids project, the now 15-year-old has raised over $600,000 to support children in Flint and distributed 17,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. She is determined to find new ways to support Flint and other communities facing water toxicity.

Copeny wrote a letter to Barack Obama in 2016 urging him to visit Flint to survey the water crisis for himself and even got to hug the president at the White House. Obama eventually approved $100 million in relief for the city.

"I would have been happy to see Mari in Washington but when something like this happens a young girl shouldn't have to go to Washington to be heard," Obama said during a 2016 speech. "I thought her president should come to meet with her."

Ethan Hill, 13, founder of Ethan’s Heart-Bags4Blessings

In 2016, Ethan Hill knew he wanted one thing for Christmas: to be shown kindness. The now 13-year-old used $100 of his Christmas money to purchase and donate essential survival items to people living under a local freeway underpass in Birmingham, Alabama, and hence, Ethan's Heart-Bags4Blessings was born.

Hill continues to seek donations from his community to prevent malnutrition and health issues among people without housing by providing emergency food, drinks, shelter referrals, clothing, sleeping bags, first aid supplies and hygiene products. The organization has collected over 4,500 care packages and survival supplies for the unhoused population.

"Everyday is a day to help someone," Hill said on his organization's website.

Michael Platt, 17- founder of Michaels Desserts

Michael Platt's epilepsy diagnosis meant he had to say goodbye to many of his favorite activities. When he turned 11, he discovered three new passions for business, activism and baking. The now 17-year-old from Washington, D.C. showed that being an entrepreneur, justice advocate and baker are not mutually exclusive when he founded Michaels Desserts. With every cupcake sold, he donates the funds to someone who can't afford to treat themself.

With his platform, has helped thousands of people and continues to speak up about food insecurity. The multi-hyphenate is also a published author with two books including "Recipes for Change," which shares a journey through a year in Black history covering 12 important events with a recipe inspired by each.

Platt has also presented a TedX Talk and been featured in on Good Morning America and The Today Show.

Michelle Song, 16, founder of Community for Environmental Sustainability

This next young activist is a real buzz. Michelle Song, a 16-year-old from North Carolina, regularly advocates for nutrition education, reducing hunger and awareness about bees and pollinators. After founding the Community for Environmental Sustainability in 2021, she nurtures a community garden and orchard and runs a nutrition education program while simultaneously distributing fresh food to people in need.

Passionate about engaging volunteers, Song also conducts educational STEM demos on gardening and beekeeping at schools and summer camps.

Khloe Thompson, 15, founder of Khloe Kares Project

Khloe Thompson began supporting her Illinois community at eight years old when she started distributing her homemade "kare bags" with essential toiletries to homeless women. Since founding the Khloe Kares Project, the now 15-year-old works toward helping homeless women transition into stable housing by providing tools and by spreading awareness.

According to her website, Thompson also has international goals to end water insecurity in schools lacking access to clean, safe water.

Te’Lario Watkins II, 15, founder of Tiger Mushroom Farms

Te’Lario Watkins II founded his organization selling his mushrooms at Ohio farmers markets after a Cub Scout project. He also donates produce to local food banks to address hunger and food insecurity in the area. The now 15-year-old delivers fresh shiitake and oyster mushrooms to farmers markets with some of his products even appearing on various restaurant menus.

His work through Tiger Mushroom Farms quickly received attention from media outlets as well as the Steve Harvey Show in 2019. Te'Lario was honored as a 20 Under 20 Youth Leader by the mayor of Columbus.

"Listen to me man that's exactly how [success] it happens. Don't you think for a minute that it works any other way. You keep dreaming just like that," Harvey told Te’Lario on the show. "He's going to be a zillionare."