“I really wanted to support that specific food aid program because it not only gives kids that nutritious meal a day,” says Bush, “but also gives them the incentive they need to go to school in the first place⎯ for their parents to send them to school. A lot of countries are so poor that education isn’t the priority.”
For the past three years, Bush has worked as an Honorary Spokesperson for the U.N. World Food Program and has visited some of the world’s most impoverished nations in hopes of helping to ease debilitating hunger. Now she looks to take a more active role with the launch of Project Feed. “I just wanted a way, a more tangible way to be able to give back,” says Bush.
Since launching the entrepreneurial venture last April, Bush has managed to sell over 30,000 “Feed Bags” via Amazon.com and hopes to increase sales by offering bags at Whole Foods markets across the nation beginning in May. The bags, which can be used as substitute for your everyday handbag or a reusable grocery bag, are surprisingly moderately priced at $59.95, a choice Bush made deliberately to give young people an opportunity to do their part. “Young people don’t have massive amounts of money to write a huge check but still want to do their part. I felt that the bag was a tangible way to give back and it’s become a trendy item,” she says.
When it came to getting her idea off the ground, Bush had some great resources at her fingertips — and we don’t mean her family. With a background in design and experience as a fashion model for such high profile campaigns as Ralph Lauren, Bush was able to generate a strong design concept for the bag (which is made entirely of eco-friendly organic cotton and sustainable burlap) and key supporters for the project. “I think I was lucky enough to have fashion industry contacts initially to spread the word,” she says. “But I have been sort of happily surprised with how many people have taken it upon themselves to chip in and help out and come up with some of the extra.”
Bush’s interest in doing her part to improve the detrimental problems of the world doesn’t end with Project Feed. As a vegetarian and environmentalist, the young activist hopes to improve the conditions of our own nation. “I’m definitely not perfect, but it’s about trying to do the small things,” she says. “I recycle, and if I were to buy a car I’m sure I’d get a hybrid, and I buy environmentally safe cleaning products. I think in this day and age it’s good to be mindful. It’s funny, once you start paying attention to certain things, you can’t let go.”
Considering where her interests lie, one can’t help but wonder if the president’s niece might just be the black sheep of her family. “I know people don’t really think of my family as the most environmental,” she laughs, “but I think, to be honest, most of my family kind of has tried to do the small things [to help the environment].” Bush also doesn’t intend to follow the family’s political tradition and hopes that Project Feed can remain a “non-political” nonprofit in order to generate the most support. No one can deny world hunger or the importance of working to alleviate its effects, she explains, noting this is the kind of cause everyone can feel good about supporting. However, Bush admits her background does play a significant role in her dedication to the project. “I do think I maybe grew up with a heightened sense of what public service is and giving back.”
For more information or to purchase a Feed Bag, visit foodprojects.org.
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