Our Story
About Mixing It Forward
Mixing It Forward started with a simple question: what if the teens in our community could do something real about hunger? Not raise awareness. Not post about it. Actually make something with their hands and put it in front of a neighbor who needs it. That question became a mixing table, and that table became a nonprofit.
Every mix is made by teens, for neighbors between meals
100% of donated ingredients go directly into our mixes
Our mission
To fight hunger in the DMV by putting teens at the center of the solution. We mix wholesome, ready-to-eat nourishment for shelters and food pantries, one batch at a time.
Our vision
A DMV where no neighbor goes hungry between meals, and every teen knows what it means to serve their community with their own hands.
Our story
Teen-led. Students plan, run, and represent the work.
Nutrition first. We mix what we’d want our own families to eat.
Dignity. The people we feed are neighbors, not statistics.
Local. We serve the shelters and pantries in our own community.
What we Do
Nourishment, Mixed by Hand
We mix wholesome, shelf-stable nourishment for people at shelters and food pantries across the DMV. Every batch is designed to fill the gap between meals, when hunger is real but a full meal isn’t available. Our mixes are made from simple, nutritious ingredients such as oats, nuts, dried fruit, seeds, protein powder, measured, blended, and packed by teen volunteers at community mixing sessions.
Examples of What we mix
Wholesome Trail Mix
A hearty blend of peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips. High in protein, easy to eat anywhere, no prep needed.
Overnight Oat Packs
Pre-portioned oats, chia seeds, dried fruit, and powdered milk in a sealed bag. Add water the night before, eat the next morning. A full, filling breakfast in a bag.
Protein Energy Bites
Rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, flaxseed, and chocolate chips, mixed and rolled by hand. Packed with protein and calories for sustained energy between meals.
Granola Blend
Oats, honey, coconut flakes, almonds, and dried mango, mixed and bagged in snack-size portions. A crunchy, nutrient-dense option that keeps for weeks.
Fruit and Nut Butter Packs
Individual portions of peanut or almond butter paired with dried apple rings or banana chips. Simple, satisfying, and familiar.
Who We Are
Eva Braccia - Founder
I kept hearing about the meals shelters provide for breakfast and dinner, and kept wondering what happens in between. Mixing It Forward started as a way to answer that question by putting teens and ingredients in the same room.
Student Leadership
We’re building a teen leadership board. Interested? Get in touch.