Dream Donations: A Student-led Nonprofit Tackling Food and Medical Supply Waste
Anushka Jain, a student at Health Careers High School in San Antonio, is making a significant impact on her community through her nonprofit, Dream Donations. Founded in 2020 alongside two peers, Rishabh Jain and Aruj Khater, Dream Donations began with a simple mission: to reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food from local restaurants to homeless shelters. What started as a modest project during her high school years has grown into an essential service and resource for San Antonio’s underserved populations.
Food From Local Businesses Reaches Over 3,000 In Need
Dream Donations mission has been to ensure that excess food from local businesses reaches those in need, especially the homeless. They have partnered with shelters such as SAMMinistries Transitional Living Center to provide meals to people facing food insecurity. To date, they’ve donated nearly 3,000 meals and raised over $9,000 to support their cause.
Expanding to Medical Supply Waste Reduction
While addressing food insecurity, Dream Donations has expanded its reach to tackle another overlooked issue: medical supply waste. Recognizing the abundance of unused wound care and skincare products, the organization has initiated a project to collect these surplus supplies and distribute them to nonprofit clinics and shelters in need.
Jayesh Shah, CMO of VA, is mentoring high school student Anushka Jain in organizing her wound care supplies drive. By collaborating with healthcare providers like University Hospital, Christus Santa Rosa, and other private clinics, Dream Donations ensures that these essential items are redirected to serve homeless and low-income populations.
The impact of these efforts has been substantial, as Dream Donations has collected more than $1,500 worth of surplus medical supplies and has donated $800 worth to local shelters. To ensure that their contributions reach the most vulnerable individual, they work closely with community partners such as Seton Home, Corazon Ministries, and Broken Warrior Angels. Through this initiative, Dream Donations has extended its influence beyond food insecurity, addressing critical healthcare needs in underserved communities.
How to Get Involved: Contact and Volunteering Information
Like all non profits, Dream Donations thrives on the support of volunteers and donations. The organization is actively seeking community members who are willing to contribute unused and unopened wound care supplies. Volunteers can assist by connecting the nonprofit with clinics, hospitals, and other facilities that may have surplus medical supplies. Additionally, churches, community centers, and corporations are encouraged to host collection boxes to gather donations.
If you are interested in contributing, donations can be dropped off at 11802 Warfield St #200, San Antonio, TX 78216. Alternatively, Dream Donations offers a pick-up service for donated items. Dream Donations are also still looking to serve more shelters in need and also in need of volunteers to facilitate the transportation. For more information visit their website at https://www.dreamdonations.org/, by phone at (210) 718-4177 or by email at anushkaj837@gmail.com or Dreamdonations2020@gmail.com.
Every Contribution Helps
Whether through volunteering or donating, every contribution helps continue Dream Donations impactful work in the San Antonio community. Through their efforts, Anushka Jain and her peers have not only addressed immediate needs in their community but have also provided a model for other youth to follow in creating meaningful change.
