Sharing Food, Caring for Communities
We believe in Art of giving and our mission is to provide access to healthy food for people in need through innovative vending machine solutions, creating a equitable community for all.
- What is Project Vendigo?
- A non-profit vending machine to access food.
Sharing Food, Caring for Communities
Our mission is to provide access to healthy food for people in need through innovative vending machine solutions, creating a equitable community for all.
- What is Project Vendigo?
- A not for profit vending machines for access to food.
About Me
I believe in "Art of Giving". Imagine a world where no one goes hungry, where access to food is a basic human right, not a privilege. That's my dream!
Hi, I'm Sarayu Kocharlakota, a high schooler from LA, and I'm on a mission to make it happen. I came up with an idea to install free/low-cost vending machines that dispenses food 24x7 for those in need. And I'm humbled to say that I teamed up with WISH, a non-profit that provides temporary housing for the homeless, to make it a reality. Together, we identified strategic locations to install these vending machines, ensuring that no one has to go hungry again. But we need your help to sustain this project. We're matching each non-profit vending machine with a for-profit one, and anyone can contribute by donating, volunteering, or even suggesting a location. Join us in creating a world where food is a right, not a privilege.
Partnerships
Locations
Audubon Middle School
The project aims to provide access to food for communities that are in need in Los Angeles through the installation of vending machines. This initiative is necessary because a significant percentage of the population in LAUSD lives at or below the poverty line, with one of the highest concentrations of low-income students in the state. Additionally, the point-in-time count conducted in February 2021 estimated that over 69,000 people were experiencing homelessness in LA County, with a 4.1% increase from 2020.
The project aims to provide access to food for communities that are in need in Los Angeles through the installation of vending machines. This initiative is necessary because a significant percentage of the population in LAUSD lives at or below the poverty line, with one of the highest concentrations of low-income students in the state. Additionally, the point-in-time count conducted in February 2021 estimated that over 69,000 people were experiencing homelessness in LA County, with a 4.1% increase from 2020.
Objectives
● Increased 24/7 access to food for communities in need.
● To install vending machines in schools and communities where
students and residents can access snacks, drinks, and food.
● To work with non-profit organizations to identify the best locations for installing
the vending machines.
● To ensure that the vending machines are easy to use and accessible to those
who need them.
Methodology
Research: Vendigo started as a research project initially to identify if vending machines can be a real solution for people looking for access to food 24×7. After gaining some confidence, the research focused on vending machine vendors and type of vending machines available to be customized for people in need of access to food 24×7.
Non-Profit Collaboration: Collaboration with non-profit organizations especially WISH (Welcoming Interim Shared Housing) that work for communities looking food and shelter needs was a game changer. Brainstorming sessions with WISH to expand the idea of Project VENDIGO resulted in identifying the right locations where vending machines can be installed for people to access food.
Location Selection: Location selection is key to the success of Project Vendigo. Closely working with non profit and reaching out to community leaders to identify the best locations for installing the vending machines. After, many rounds of discussions about food selection, accessibility, and method of operation, the very first vending machine was humbly unveiled at Audubon Middle School. Installation in other locations are work in progress.
Funding: Sustainability of the project was also researched well. While donations are backbone for success, Project Vendigo is also looking to enable the success of this project by installing for profit vending machines that can sustain the non profit vending machine that is installed in communities that need the most. This way, the for-profit vending machine can cover the costs for the free/non-profit vending machine.
Access Control: The project will ensure the vending machines will be accessed in a controlled way. For now the installed vending machine leverage tokens that are distributed to community members in need. The machines are customized with guard rails and access controls to ensure no misuse. It is a learning process.
Compliance: The project will ensure the healthy food offered in the vending machines strictly complies with the LAUSD’s food policy.
Methodology
● Research: The project will begin with research on vending machine vendors who offer second-hand vending machines or vending machines for lower costs. The team will also research the type of vending machines that are available and suitable for low-income communities.
● Non-Profit Collaboration: The team will collaborate with non-profit organizations that work for low-income communities for their food and shelter. The project will brainstorm the idea with non-profit organizations and expand the idea further to see if the vending machines can be installed in other areas where there is a severe need for food.
● Location Selection: The project will work with non-profit organizations and community members to identify the best locations for installing the vending machines. The project will ensure that the locations are easily accessible and secure.
● Funding: The project will install one vending machine for profit in a location that can sustain the other vending machine that is installed for low-income communities. This way, the for-profit vending machine can cover the costs for the free/non-profit vending machine.
● Access Control: The project will ensure that the vending machines can be accessed in a controlled way. The team will work with non-profit organizations to develop a system that will allow low-income students and community members to access the vending machines for free or at a very low cost. The system could involve using fake cards or tokens that the schools and non-profit organizations can distribute to students and community members in need.
● Compliance: The project will ensure that the food offered in the vendingmachines complies with the LAUSD’s food policy.
Expected Outcomes
● Increased/24-7 access to food for low-income and communities in need.
● Improved health outcomes for students and community members.
● Increased community involvement in addressing the issue of food insecurity.
● Increased collaboration between non-profit organizations, schools, and
community members in addressing issues related to food insecurity.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The below questions are our most frequently asked questions about Project Vendigo. If your question hasn’t been answered below, please get in touch through the contact us page.
The below questions are our most frequently asked questions at The Foodbank Project. If your question hasn’t been answered below, please get in touch through the contact us page.
The purpose of the project is to provide access to food for communities in need through innovative vending machines solutions. The food distribution process right now is manual and have time limitations. Vending machines can automate this process and make it more efficient
Anyone who is in need of food. It does not matter what their income or social status is. There are communities where there is less access to food and they will benefit most from these vending machines. Also the plan is to install vending machines in schools and community centers where students and residents can access healthy snacks, drinks, and food.
The project will work with non-profit organizations and community leaders to identify the best locations for installing the vending machines, ensuring they are easily accessible and secure. The project will also develop a system that will allow students and community members to access the vending machines for free or at a very low cost.
The broader idea of the “Project Vendigo” is to build a social enterprise. To expand further, install one vending machine for profit in a location that can sustain the free vending machines. This way, the for-profit vending machine can cover the costs of non-profit vending machine. Vendigo is looking for partners who can donate locations and support the cause. Please and please, write to us at [email protected] if you can support us. The first 9 months, the pilot project was run as a non-profit initiative where donations sustained the project. This provided an opportunity to build various models related to costs, food likability, optimizing work flows, robustness of vending machines and more.
The vending machines will be stocked with healthy food regularly by the non-profit organization partners responsible for specific locations where the vending machines are installed. Currently W.I.S.H volunteers are helping us stock food in the vending machines at various locations.
The project team will work with the non-profit organizations and community members to identify secure locations for the vending machines. Additionally, if feasible the vending machines will be equipped with security cameras and will be monitored regularly to ensure that they are not tampered with or vandalized.
The vending machines are accessible to all, but the project team will work with non-profit organizations to develop a system that will allow low-income students and community members to access the vending machines for free. This system could involve using prepaid cards or tokens that the schools and non-profit organizations can distribute to students and community members in need.
The project will measure its success by monitoring the usage of the vending machines and the feedback from the communities where the vending machines are installed. The project team will also conduct surveys to assess the impact of the vending machines on food insecurity and health outcomes in the communities where they are installed.
The vending machines will be regularly stocked and maintained by the vending machine vendor or a designated service provider. The team will work with the vendor or service provider to ensure that the machines are stocked with healthy and affordable options.
For the pilot phase of (9 – 12 months), the project will be funded through a combination of grants, donations. The team will also explore crowdfunding options and seek partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The future plans are to build a social enterprise where Project Vendigo can sustain on its own without attracting public donations.
Only healthy snacks and food. The top rated snacks on “Yuka” and “Fooducate” app. If Vending machines are installed in schools, the food offered in vending machines complies with the LAUSD’s food policy, which requires that all food and beverages sold or provided on campus during the school day meet certain nutrition standards.
The project will track and analyze data on the number of people served by the vending machines, the types of food and drinks purchased, and the frequency of use. The team will also conduct surveys and interviews with users and community members to gather feedback and assess the project’s impact on food insecurity and health outcomes.
Contact Information:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Call us - (424) 329 0248