Growing up in Malaysia, I learned early on how deeply food is connected to survival and dignity. My mother, a government social worker, couldn’t afford a nanny for her eight children, so I often joined her as she visited families in crisis. Whether it was fires, floods, homelessness, or domestic struggles, food was always central to their challenges. The poor couldn’t afford it, the unhoused begged for it, and addiction often prioritized drugs over meals.

Years later, while attending Tante Marie’s Culinary School, I met Mary Risely, founder of the San Francisco Food Runners. Her dedication to fighting hunger inspired me to volunteer after graduating. Through SF Food Runners, I met people from all walks of life, each with a unique story. Those experiences reinforced my gratitude and deepened my commitment to ensuring everyone has access to food.

In 2013, I brought that mission to the Peninsula and South Bay Area, launching Peninsula Food Runners. This region posed unique challenges—its larger geography and scattered shelters made food distribution more complex. To tackle this, my husband, Tod, developed ChowMatch, custom software that streamlined food recovery and delivery.

Today, Peninsula Food Runners thrives thanks to the passion of volunteers and donors who believe in our mission: to deliver healthy, delicious food to those in need. Together, one meal at a time, we are making a difference.

Let there be food among us—and let it begin with me.