The Metropolitan Washington Council of Government awarded its prestigious 2022 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards to Richard Montgomery High School Junior Shrusti Amula for her work on ending food waste and hunger.
Amul, of Clarksburg, founded the Rise N Shine Foundation. There, she and about a dozen other Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) students, gather food waste from several school cafeterias. The waste is separated and hauled away for composting.
Students with untouched food they would normally throw away are encouraged to leave on a share cart, where anyone is welcome to help themselves. Food not taken is sent to area shelters and food pantries.
The total estimated weight diverted from her program is 17.6 tons, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gases emissions from over 35,300 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.
The 16-year-old, who loves dancing, playing cricket and participating in her school’s robotics team, hopes one day to be involved in law and politics.
https://twitter.com/risenshinefound/status/1574950653318684672?s=20&t=iuUQNxdt-T92g8L6Y3XIFg
Thank you so much Justin and Holden!! https://t.co/a1pcoOgkHj
— Rise N Shine Foundation (@risenshinefound) October 13, 2022
Last week, the Council of Governments @MWCOG recognized Rise N Shine, which was started by a sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School. It collects food that would usually be thrown away for composting. Thank you to Shrusti Amula for having the vision to better our community. pic.twitter.com/cai3pHhiLn
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) October 17, 2022
