The Food Lounge was founded in 2021 by a group of high school friends from Dallas and Houston, Texas, who shared a deep concern for food insecurity in their communities. What began as a few student-led service projects grew into a youth-led movement.

Since then, The Food Lounge has expanded to over 10 locations across the United States, with a growing network of over 500 dedicated student members. Each chapter works independently to organize local volunteer events, partner with food banks and shelters, and raise awareness about food insecurity. Our mission remains the same: to empower youth to lead with compassion, take action in their communities, and be a force for lasting change.

Youth Taking the Lead Against Hunger

Headquarter Leadership

Alex Cai – Co-Founder / President

Alex is a senior at The Kinkaid School in Houston with strong interests in economics, politics, public policy, mathematics, and computer science. He is particularly interested in how economic and political systems shape society and enjoys engaging in debate and discussions surrounding current events, policy, and civic issues.

Alex has served two years on the Houston Mayor’s Youth Council as a representative for District J, where he focuses on issues affecting young people in the Houston community. Through the council, he has worked to elevate youth perspectives on topics such as education, civic engagement, and environmental development.

Outside of academics, Alex enjoys working out, following Houston sports, listening to music, and occasionally playing video games. He is deeply committed to community service and believes in using leadership and education to create meaningful impact. Through his work with The Food Lounge, he hopes to continue expanding the organization’s reach and strengthening its role in the community. Alex is also passionate about teaching and mentoring younger students, helping them build confidence and develop a love of learning.

Edgar Poon – Co-Founder / Vice President

Edgar is a senior at Plano West Senior High School with a strong passion for community service and youth engagement. In his free time, Edgar enjoys playing tennis and giving back through volunteer work. During the summer, he combines both interests by volunteering at the Gleneagles Tennis Club, where he supports tennis programs and helps young players grow their skills.

Beyond sports, Edgar is committed to education and makes time to tutor English at local learning centers, helping students improve their reading and writing abilities. He brings the same dedication and energy to his work with The Food Lounge.

Edgar is eager to see the organization grow alongside him and looks forward to contributing to its mission in meaningful ways. He is excited for what lies ahead and is proud to be part of a movement that empowers young people to make a real difference.

Calvin McKee – Co-Founder / Treasurer / Secretary

Calvin is a senior at Greenhill in Dallas with a deep passion for food, food science, and the ways they can improve people’s lives. He is fascinated by everything from recipe development to the science behind how ingredients interact, and he is constantly exploring new ideas in the kitchen while studying the connections between food, health, and community. Through the Food Lounge, Calvin channels this passion into meaningful impact by developing practical solutions that make a tangible difference for the less privileged community.

Calvin brings curiosity, creativity, and determination to everything he does. Whether working on a service project, experimenting with new recipes, analyzing the science behind a dish, or training for fencing competition, he is driven by a desire to learn, create, and make a positive impact. Also an Eagle Scout, Calvin demonstrates a strong commitment to service, leading and participating in projects focused on conservation, poverty relief, and community support. He is also a nationally competitive fencer, a member of his school’s choir, and an avid artist.

In his free time, Calvin enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends, always seeking new opportunities to connect with others and pursue his interests.

Past Leadership

Ethan Poon

Co-Founder, Former President, Harvard ’30

Albert Wu

Former Milburn-Chapter President, Yale ’30

Emily Wang

Former Houston-Chapter President, Stanford ’30

Andrew Zhang

Former Oklahoma City-Chapter President, Stanford ’30

Audrey Zheng

Former Pittsburgh-Chapter President, Stanford ’30

Darren Han

Former Austin-Chapter President, MIT ’30

Andy Li

Former Dallas-Chapter President, UT Austin ’30

Alice Chi

Former Lovejoy/Highland Park-Chapter President, UT Austin ’30

Iris Mu

Former Detroit-Chapter President, Columbia ’30

Luke Meng

Former Memphis-Chapter President, Columbia ’30

Alex Yuan

Former New Haven-Chapter President, UChicago ’30

Alex Gan

Former Fairfax-Chapter President, Penn ’30

Alexandrea Sfikas

Former Southlake-Chapter Co-President, UCLA ’30

Miranda Wei

Former Southlake-Chapter Co-President, Emory ’30

Allen Liu

Former NC RTP-Chapter President, Duke ’30

Cedric Xia

Former Austin-Chapter President, MIT ’29

Emily Tauhert

Former Dallas-Chapter President, Boston College ’29

Archer Oliver

Former Southlake-Chapter President, Washington University in St. Louis ’29