Joining Janeane on 8/12/26 at 9:00am - Co-Founders of Neighbors Who Nourish: Aafiya Mahmood & Yeshwi Sharma

  The mission of Neighbors Who Nourish is to  bring communities together by nurturing meaningful connections and providing mental health resources to those facing food insecurity.    Below is our instagram page highlighting the various events they have had so far:    https://www.instagram.com/neighbors.who.nourish?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==     Aafiya Mahmood Age: 16 Co-Founder, Neighbors Who Nourish Aafiya is a student and co-founder of Neighbors Who Nourish, a youth-led initiative focused on addressing food insecurity while strengthening mental well-being and community connection.   Yeshwi Sharma Age: 17 Co-Founder, Neighbors Who Nourish Yeshwi is a student and co-founder of Neighbors Who Nourish, working alongside Aafiya to bring families together through food, mental wellness activities, and community-based support.   How We Got Started Neighbors Who Nourish grew out of our personal connections to food insecurity, mental health, and the isolation that can come with both problems. We realized that food could be more than something people simply receive, it could be a pathway to bring people together. We began hosting community events centered around shared meals, family activities, and mental wellness conversations. Our goal was turning food from a source of stress into a source of connection. We also provide SNAP-friendly cookbooks and mental wellness resources to help people beyond their events. About Neighbors Who Nourish Neighbors Who Nourish is a youth-led initiative addressing food insecurity while strengthening mental well-being and community connection.    In two months, we have directly impacted 1,170 people and distributed 1,000+ mental health resources and SNAP-friendly cookbooks. Our work brings together three connected pieces: food security, mental wellness, and community. Through SNAP-friendly cooking demonstrations and bilingual cookbooks, families gain practical nutrition resources. In addition, through community mental health activities, they have opportunities to express themselves and support one another. Through shared meals and activities, those conversations become genuine connections. They have brought these events to people ages 6-80+   What We’d Like Listeners to Know We want listeners to know that food insecurity isn’t only about whether someone has enough food; it can also bring stress, isolation, and uncertainty. We believe community can help anyone, regardless of their circumstances, and that no one should have to carry their struggles alone.    Through Neighbors Who Nourish, we use food as a starting point for connection, creating spaces where people can feel supported, build relationships, and become more comfortable talking about their mental well-being.