Safe Bite Union Provides Allergen-Free Food to Those In Need

As a child, Russell T. ’27 visited Whole Foods, where he asked his mom for a scoop of chocolate sorbet. He is among the one in 13 children who have food allergies. On the day of the incident, the sign for the full-dairy version was switched with the sign for his icy treat—dairy is one of his severe allergies. His mother had to administer an EpiPen and rush him to the emergency room to treat his reaction.

Russell had several allergic reactions that sent him to the ER in his youth. These life experiences have given him tremendous empathy for others suffering from food sensitivities. “My experiences with food allergies had me shift to thinking, 'how can I help others with a similar situation?'. I was fortunate to survive my accidents, so it pushed me to think about how I could make some sort of change,” said Russell.

As a 10th grader, Russell approached Student Community Engagement Coordinator Renée Larios for help in getting his club off the ground. She connected him with Friends In Deed, an organization that provides support for those experiencing homelessness. Russell then crafted a pitch for Safe Bite Union, an allergen-friendly food pantry that provides staples free of the top nine allergens to those who are food-insecure.

It took months of rejections before ultimately partnering with Union Station Homeless Services. Ultimately, Russell began serving families with severe food allergies for whom traditional food banks couldn’t provide services. “Russell has shown such resilience and persistence after not hearing back from organizations, and he doesn’t give up,” said Renée. “His values are absolutely aligned with Poly’s: using his youth voice, meeting an authentic need, and building so many skills of his own in the process. He’s being of service and also being served by this experience.”

Many of these food banks rely on donated foods that contain hidden allergens, forcing recipients to choose between going hungry and risking a life-threatening reaction. Many residents of Union Station face chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, making access to specific foods vital to their well-being, not simply a dietary preference.

“Safe Bite Union has made a tangible difference in how we support our clients with dietary needs,” said Volunteer Coordinator Luke Askins ’19 of Union Station. “By providing clearly labeled and thoughtfully prepared nutritional alternatives, Russell's efforts have helped ensure that more individuals can access options that are both safe and respectful of their health conditions and cultural or religious preferences.”

Safe Bite Union sources its food by accepting donations from local businesses and top nine allergen-friendly businesses. Russell compiled a list of 40 companies across the U.S. and Canada that produce allergen-free food. He began cold-calling businesses, eventually forming partnerships with Grocery Outlet, Food For Less, and Trader Joe’s. Friends In Deed is also a donor, taking the partnership full circle from the start of the club’s journey. Safe Bite Union now hosts monthly events to stock Union Station with supplies, allowing Poly volunteers to gain significant experience for their community engagement requirements.

Today, Safe Bite Union has donated over 10,000 servings to those affected by food insecurity, affixing a recognizable sticker to each serving. Safe Bite Union is also aiming to start chapters at John Muir High School and Sequoyah School and has already established a chapter at South Pasadena High School.

“The club has had a huge impact on me as a person, and I have heard from people about how important this service is to them,” said Russell. “I know that this project has given other people hope, and it makes me happy to have translated a traumatic experience into something positive.”

Russell recently presented his club at the Paws for Humanity Assembly, winning 1st place and a $500 grant for Safe Bite Union to continue its work. His experiences also led to his election as co-president of the Community Engagement Council, where he can, in turn, influence other students starting clubs to support their own passions. 

“Russell is addressing a real need in the community, and it’s also one he is very personally connected to, so the motivation is authentic,” said Renée. “We really believe in students finding meaning in their work and not just doing it to check off a box.”