A South Florida teen and her brother are using pizza and technology to fight hunger in the country. Aashrita Kaza and her brother Anish have developed Pizza for a Purpose in Florida, an app that connects donors, pizzerias and local organisations. According to a report published by Good News Network, the platform started in 2024 and has already facilitated the donation of 25,000 slices of pizza to families facing food insecurity, including residents of Broward County.The idea came after the siblings saw food insecurity firsthand. The 13-year-old and her brother were volunteering at local places when they noticed families were in line for food and those in the queue included not only adults but also young children their age. “It just shocked us because we didn’t think there were kids our age who needed food,” said Aashrita.The duo realised that technology could bridge the gap between those wishing to donate food and the organisation needing to receive it. Instead of requiring donors to buy the food, pick up the order and find an organisation to deliver it, Pizza for Purpose streamlines the process while still achieving the goal.Through the platform, users can select a nearby restaurant or grocery store and direct pizzas and other commodities to a charity in the same area. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.“The reaction really warms our hearts, their faces just light up the second they get the pizza,” said co-founder Aashrita. “It’s very rewarding because it makes everything we do worth it.”
Through the platform, users can select a nearby restaurant or grocery store and direct pizzas and other commodities to a charity in the same area.
One of their partners, The Pantry of Broward, serves more than 600 people each month. “So, to be able to receive fresh, hot pizzas and hand-deliver them directly to our clients is just a blessing. The smiles on their faces, it’s very rewarding, whether it’s a grandparent taking it home to their grandkids, or whether it’s just a senior who having a pizza for dinner is a luxury item,” The Pantry of Broward COO Warren Lubow said to CBS News.By August 2026, this model had already contributed to the distribution of 25,000 slices. An estimated 47.9 million people lived in food-insecure households in US, according to data from the USDA Economic Research Service. According to Feeding America, roughly 14 million children experience hunger or food insecurity annually. In this context, the app made by the teens is making an immense impact in ensuring not every stomach goes hungry at night.Individuals can also use the Pizza for a Purpose app to make a donation, giving anyone a way to help provide a fresh meal to a family in need.The teens have also started Dhanam Foundation, inspired by the Sanskrit word ‘Dhanam’, which embodies the spirit of compassion and generosity and continues their initiative beyond the app.The story of Aashrita and Anish illustrates how a volunteering experience can uncover issues that are not always visible to those outside assistance institutions