'Ambition': Bellaire High School graduate receives scholarship for hunger-combating efforts

Recent Bellaire High School graduate Shirley Zhu has earned the Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship from Sodexo to cover her tenure at Harvard, as recognition for her dedication to combating hunger in Houston.

Zhu contributed 550 volunteering hours at various local organizations, such as Second Servings, Houston Food Bank and Fresh Hub, which she co-founded. After volunteering to help community members recuperate after being rampaged by Hurricane Harvey and witnessing how much food was going to waste, Zhu gathered her classmates and organized more than 19 food distribution events that served more than 1,620 people and rescued 12,100 pounds of food in a span of two years, a related press release said.

Zhu created an app to maintain regular communication with the event participants and pass nutritious recipes along. Zhu also used the app to promote additional events and network with hunger-related local government agencies and health organizations to provide education and referral services to educate and provide resources to her attendees.

Sodexo states that scholarship winners receive a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant intended for an organization that fights hunger. Zhu chose Second Servings of Houston to be the recipient of the $5,000 grant. She hopes the grant will help cover the cost to deliver $150,000 worth of food, pay for fuel, upkeep refrigerated vans and other supplies.

The Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship is given out to students who put forth efforts to fight hunger in the U.S. The scholarships award students between ages five to 25, who are recognized at the national level.

According to the release, Sodexo is scheduled to celebrate Zhu and all Stop Hunger Scholarship recipients in an upcoming gala in July. At Harvard, she will major in computer science, and hopes to continue making social contributions to help the community. 

“Doing good business in a good way is our driver and at the heart of our mission," Sodexo stated. "And our ambition is to positively impact one billion consumers worldwide.”