Farragut Teens Brings Lunches and Big Smiles to Area Youth

Perri Mahfouz loves helping children learn about nutrition and the power to feel better through her own non-profit organization, Heal with Meals.

Heal with Meals has successfully finished its second year of providing thousands of lunches for Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge for their 4-week summer program.  Perri states, “I knew I was making such a difference when a young girl had never tasted watermelon before and told me that it tastes like happiness.” Heal with Meals is proving so much more than just food.  Heal with Meals provides plant-based, nutrient dense, organic foods that brings children happiness.  

This year the girls loved eating fresh strawberries, black berries, blue berries, raspberries, and watermelon.  “Our plant-based pizza bagel served with watermelon on Friday’s is the ultimate favorite,” explains Perri.  “Oh, and the girls loved our new lunch menu item this summer, the chocolate hummus sandwich with strawberries on the side,” states Perri.  Perri goes on to explain, “All of the adults love the lunches and I see such an amazing opportunity to bring more Heal with Meals lunches to area youth.”

The vegetables that Heal with Meals provided Girls Inc. this summer included cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks, celery sticks and snap peas.  Perri explained, “It’s important to note that some girls haven’t tried some of these veggies before and that’s part of providing and explaining how much better these foods make you feel.” Perri goes on to explain, “Some of us think we are eating healthy and then when we actually write down what we are eating, and it becomes apparent that we need more than just one small salad per day to feel our best.”

Heal with Meals is ready to partner with other organizations and is seeking volunteers to help bring plant-based, nutrient dense snacks to local youth organizations.

She goes on to state, “My entire family loves to eat healthy and share with others.”  Heal with Meals is expanding their program to include after school lunches for local programs.