While studying at UNC-Chapel Hill, Sindhura Citineni experienced a pivotal moment. She came across an online map that visualized the frequency of childhood deaths due to malnutrition, with a small dot blinking every three seconds. This powerful image spurred her into action. Determined to make a difference, Sindhura founded Hunger Lunch, a weekly initiative that provided lunch plates of rice, beans, and cornbread to the campus community. The proceeds were donated to a nonprofit in Hyderabad, India. Students not only raised funds but also traveled to Hyderabad, working alongside the nonprofit staff on summer projects funded by their efforts.

In 2006, three years after its inception, Hunger Lunch evolved and incorporated as a nonprofit called Nourish International. This transformation marked the beginning of a broader movement, as additional chapters started to join the network, initially within North Carolina and eventually spreading to other states.

Nourish International's mission is to "empower students to engage communities to make a lasting impact on extreme poverty." The organization's model is built on three primary aspects: students, ventures, and partnerships. Student leadership, social entrepreneurship, and community-based development form a comprehensive approach to tackling extreme poverty. By raising funds creatively on their campuses, granting these funds to partner NGOs abroad, and participating directly in the projects, students are making a tangible difference in communities around the world.