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Solve Hunger started as an idea at the Sharma family’s dinner table. The Sharmas were discussing potential solutions to improve local food distribution networks. Tavish Sharma, a sophomore at Libertyville High School at the time, started the conversation at lunchtime. He felt compelled to continue helping hungry people after leading a Libertyville community project that involved collecting, collecting and distributing non-perishable foods and sandwiches to several local Lake County pantries.
“My parents gave me the perfect support for my vision of creating a software application that connects communities to food sources,” recalled Tavish, now a senior at Libertyville.
Tavish rose to the challenge of developing the Solve Hunger app by taking crash courses in computer language, iOS design and development through several online university courses.
“It was an interesting six to eight month period of my sophomore year. I had to learn the Swift programming language, SQLite database, and Adobe XD design to code and design the app. The framework seemed impossible at first. “
Ultimately, Tavish’s hard work led to the development of an iOS app on Apple’s App Store and an NPO, Solve Hunger Corp.
“What helped me the most was my persistence. It helped me overcome waivers and research. The hardest part for me was designing my app, as it took a lot of creativity. and intuition, ”Tavish said. “I just kept the vision of that first food drive I organized, which made me realize how much our community needs a common platform to connect to food sources and help. the long lines of food insecure people. “
It didn’t take long for Tavish’s persistence to bear fruit, as Solve Hunger began to make a significant impact on the pantries of the region and the country.
“The first two hundred users signed up at the Wheels for Meals launch event. The word quickly spread. I was quickly able to network in Lincolnshire, Gurnee and Vernon Hills, including 30 pantries an hour from Libertyville. Tavish said. “After the Naperville / Woodridge tornado, my app connected pantry volunteers to help affected families. Solve Hunger volunteers also organized food drives in the Dallas and Houston areas during the ice storm. The pantries have also contacted California, Maryland, New York and many others. “
Soon after, Tavish began mentoring and training others to promote Solve Hunger.
“I attended conference conventions. These conventions included the National Academy, where there were 2,500 STEM students. I spoke at three of these conventions and several people contacted each of them. people are now liaison officers for Solve Hunger. I have done a lot of mentoring with young children, pantry reps and liaison officers to connect through Solve Hunger. I have also trained more people. old people who aren’t as tech-savvy, they’ve made old-fashioned pantries.
Due to Tavish’s reach, Solve Hunger is now represented in 13 states with over 60 food banks. Realization of Tavish’s vision for global impact quickly followed.
“Internationally, the food collection platforms just aren’t there,” Tavish said. “I attended in Capetown, South Africa after speaking at another convention. I had a completely virtual meeting. I also helped a day shelter, called Harmony House, for street children in India. The children took pictures of the activity. There were thank you children’s notes. “
Solve Hunger will continue to play an important role in Tavish’s future endeavors. He plans to create an AI machine learning algorithm capable of predicting statistics of food shortages before they occur.
“There are now 5,000 users on my app. I’m taking the app with me to college. I plan to major in computer science and engineering to develop concepts for the benefit of the common good,” said Tavish. “My goal is to empower people to be successful by providing them with the resources they need most. “
For more information, visit www.solvehungercorp.org. On Instagram, follow @solvehunger.
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