Points of Light will present on Aug. 25 the #8,398 award to Atlanta-area volunteer Alwyn Joseph in recognition of his work addressing food insecurity through his nonprofit Abundance Kitchen.
The Daily Point of Light Award, established in 1989 by former President George H.W. Bush, honors individuals who create meaningful change through volunteer service. The presentation will include remarks from Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, Nick Costides, and Naomi Green, the president and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.
According to a release from Point of Light, Joseph is co-founder of Abundance Kitchen, a volunteer-led nonprofit serving children and families in Tamil Nadu, India.
A first-generation immigrant from India and technology executive in Suwanee, Alwyn has pursued community service since engineering school.
“During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he rallied supporters worldwide to deliver groceries to nearly 3,000 families, an effort that grew into Abundance Kitchen,” the information said. “Today, the organization provides weekend meals, clothing and school supplies while developing vocational education opportunities. Alwyn personally covers overhead, motivated by childhood exposure to hunger and a conviction that opportunity can break generational poverty for children.”
Alwyn co-founded Abundance Kitchen with Clement Barnabas, a longtime friend who has served these communities for 15 years and now lives among them. Barnabas’ on-the-ground presence helps ensure resources reach intended beneficiaries and informs the organization’s approach, according to the Points of Light information.
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization “that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to create positive change through volunteering and civic engagement.”
More than 8,000 “points of light” have been recognized, with honorees including Nathan Gardner, an Air Force veteran inspired by his own service dog to volunteer as a service dog caretaker, and Olivia Zhang, a young adult who has mobilized more than 40,000 volunteers to provide community and support to hospitalized children.
