Saint Louis University has a long history of being an institution that places much emphasis on service. One of the newest groups to reach the SLU community, Nourish International, headed by sophomore Milap Dubal, aims to continue that tradition by working to relieve the hunger crisis in impoverished areas of the world.

Nourish International was started in 2002 by Sindhura Citineni, a student at The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Citineni’s goal was simple: create a group that would work to relieve hunger and poverty on an international scale.

This was accomplished by partnering with the university’s dining services to provide affordable meals for members of the university community. The proceeds from these meals were then given directly to an impoverished community (the first was in India), with a plan to use the funds to help the area on a long-term scale.

Citineni’s idea took off, and there are now nine chapters of Nourish International. Each chapter promotes the same mission, as stated by the organization’s website: “to empower students to become agents of positive social change.uniquely develop entrepreneurial, leadership, and management skills, and heighten global poverty awareness among college students as they collaboratively work with international non-profit programs to alleviate the poverty-hunger crisis.”

Here at SLU, Milap Dubal has founded a new chapter of Nourish International. Dubal, a native of North Carolina, first heard about Nourish International from a friend at North Carolina State who was involved in the program. Dubal liked the concept of the organization so much that he decided to start up the program at SLU.

“You can see and hear and feel the results because members actually go to the communities,” said Dubal, in regards to what most drew him to Nourish International. The main aims of the group are to spread awareness about international poverty and hunger, and to aid in relieving those problems through two main activities: an international project, and ventures.

The international project is the main focus of each Nourish International chapter. Although the organization of Nourish International is split into chapters, there is more than just a nominal connection between the chapters. Students from one chapter can participate in the international project of another chapter,

With the international project, the group chooses a specific impoverished area of a different country to help. This is done by raising money, which is then used to help the people of the impoverished area develop long-term means of sustenance.

In addition, members of the group actually travel to the chosen area to put their work into action. This, according to Dubal, is what sets Nourish International apart from other groups. “The goal is permanent results. It’s not just ‘here’s food, here’s water.’ Here’s a way to help sustain you for the long-run,” Dubal said.

Going along with the international project are ventures. Ventures are the various activities put forth by Nourish International to gain funding for the international project.

“Ventures are the lifeblood of nourish. Without ventures you can’t do anything,” said Dubal.

One venture being considered for this year is the Hunger Lunch, where the group partners with a catering company to sell food on campus. The other is Hold ‘Em for Hunger, a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament whose entrance fees would go to the international project.

Dubal and the rest of the SLU chapter of Nourish International is currently in the process of becoming a chartered on-campus group. Until that occurs, “we’ll probably try partnering with One World since they have a similar goal,” said Dubal.

The most important thing Dubal and Nourish International are working on right now is getting the word out about the group and gaining members. “More members means we can do more ventures which means we can keep it going and really accomplish something. Everyone should do it!” said Dubal.

For more information on Nourish International, visit www.nourishinternational.org, the Facebook group Nourish International (SLU Chapter) or contact Milap Dubal at [email protected].