“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:10
Hunger is a significant issue in our country. It is estimated that 1 in 4 of Oklahoma’s children are at risk of going to bed hungry. Raj Karmani was aware of statistics like this while he was standing in line at his favorite bakery. Raj wondered to himself, “When all those beautiful bagels are made fresh each day, what happens to the ones that don’t sell?”
Raj worked up the nerve to ask the bakery owner the question that he had been pondering. The owner told him that they tried to give it away to as many nonprofits as possible, but they never were able to give it all away. Raj, a computer scientist, knew that his computer skills were the resource this bakery, and other restaurants, needed to make sure their food did not go to waste.
It took some effort, but Raj Karmani was able to create an application that helped connect local nonprofit groups with area restaurants. This computer program was able to help create an environment where food was no longer wasted. The computer app is known as “Zero Percent.” Restaurants can now notify groups when they have extra food. Nonprofit groups pick up the food and distribute it through their networks. The program even keeps track of the donations, so the restaurants can track their donations for their taxes. It is a win for all involved.
Since this app launched in 2013, they have helped distribute over 1,000,000 meals to over 150 restaurants in the Chicago area alone. This is a big step in helping feed the hungry and getting rid of waste. This was made possible because Raj saw a need in his community and was willing to use his gift as a PhD in computer science to meet a need that was right in front of him. We all have the ability to make an impact on the world. If we look to the needs of our neighbors and offer our gifts, we can make a difference. Like Raj Karmani, we can be a good neighbor.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
