When Anna Gracia Herbst first saw a video of people collecting plastic bottles in exchange for hot meals in Nicaragua, something fundamentally shifted for her. After years of feeling paralyzed by global problems displayed in media—wars, climate crisis, extreme poverty—she suddenly found a concrete way to contribute. "I was like, okay, this is something I can do," she recalls, marking the moment her life trajectory completely changed.

At just 25, Herbst left her stable marketing career to co-found Buy Food with Plastic with her former classmate who had witnessed twin crises in Nicaragua: devastating plastic pollution and families unable to feed their children amid 80-90% unemployment rates. Rather than creating dependency through handouts, they developed community events where residents could exchange plastic waste for nutritious meals—addressing two critical issues simultaneously.

What began as simple events has evolved into a comprehensive approach across three countries. Today, the organization maintains collection points throughout communities in Nicaragua, Ghana, and India, operates trucks that gather plastic from households, runs manufacturing facilities that upcycle materials into new products, and—perhaps most importantly—creates sustainable jobs that lift entire families from extreme poverty.

The human impact is profound. Herbst shares the story of Luis, a recycler who's worked with them for four years. His employment enabled his son Jenner to finally attend school (previously impossible due to the prohibitive $250 cost of mandatory new uniforms) and provided health insurance covering his entire family. "We are not changing the whole world, but we are changing the world for this person," Herbst reflects, highlighting how targeted intervention creates ripple effects through generations.

For those feeling overwhelmed by global challenges, Herbst offers the Hummingbird Story—a tale of a tiny bird fighting a forest fire one water drop at a time while larger animals stood by. When questioned about its seemingly futile efforts, the hummingbird replied: "This is my contribution." The message resonates deeply with Herbst's journey: meaningful change often begins with small actions that inspire others to join. What small step might you take today?

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