From the classroom to the kitchen, Grace Loh is teaching kids life skills and compassion, one meal at a time.
This July, as TD SYNNEX celebrates the 4th annual Next Meal Campaign, we’re spotlighting co-workers taking action in unique ways to address food insecurity. This month’s Feel Good Friday spotlights Grace Loh, a co-worker on the APJ Customer Onboarding Team in Malaysia, who is taking action to teach the next generation about responsibility, independence, and kindness through food.
Grace found her purpose through Chef Junior, a local initiative that has supported more than 100 schools in establishing cooking classrooms for students. These aren’t just cooking lessons, though. The program encourages children to be more mindful and appreciative of those who prepare their meals—often their parents or caregivers—while also introducing them to cultural diversity, hygiene, basic manners, and essential life skills.
For Grace, volunteering is a conscious choice to connect, uplift, and contribute to a better world. “Volunteering means offering help and contribution willingly without expecting anything in return,” she shares. “It’s a choice you make and a chance to connect with people who share the same interests and goals. It’s about taking responsibility to make the world a little better.”
In one particularly memorable class, Grace and one other volunteer were left to manage twenty energetic students, each eager to learn, but determined to do things their own way. The group struggled to follow instructions, leading to a messy classroom and spilled ingredients. But instead of frustration, Grace walked away with something more valuable: perspective. “In that moment, I thought, if I hadn’t shown up, how would the other volunteer have handled this alone?” Grace recalls. “It was a turning point that made me realize how much impact even one volunteer can have and reminded me of the importance of simply showing up.”
Through her volunteer journey with Chef Junior, Grace has grown in patience, adaptability, and perspective. While every class brings new challenges and joys, the experience has shown her the power of service and the happiness it brings, not just to the kids, but to everyone involved.
Grace’s story reminds us that addressing food insecurity starts with awareness, education, and care. Whether it’s teaching children to cook, volunteering time, or simply showing up to support a cause, every act of service matters.
*Student faces have been intentionally blurred in photos to respect privacy and in accordance with consent guidelines.
