- The Towsontown Torch ©
- Posts
- Earth Day Non-Profit Spotlight:4MyCiTY's Christopher Dipnarine
Earth Day Non-Profit Spotlight:4MyCiTY's Christopher Dipnarine
4MyCiTy is leading the charge for transformation and change related to food waste, composting and feeding the hungry!
Christopher Forhan
April 22, 2025
Christopher Dipnarine Founder and CEO of 4MyCiTy Visionary Leader in Sustainability
Christopher Dipnarine is a Trinidad and Tobago native whose journey from personal struggle to social impact has shaped him into a leading advocate for environmental sustainability and food security in the United States. Driven by firsthand experience with poverty and food insecurity, Dipnarine left his homeland to pursue a better life, ultimately finding purpose in giving back to his community and addressing systemic issues of hunger and waste13. In 2018, this calling led him to found 4MyCiTy, a nonprofit organization based in Maryland that has since become a model for innovative, community-driven solutions to food waste and hunger123.
LISTEN: How one small, but mighty, non-profit is tackling food waste and hunger in Greater Baltimore and beyond
4MyCiTy: Mission and Vision
A Four-Phase Approach to Sustainability
4MyCiTy’s mission is rooted in Dipnarine’s belief that food waste and hunger are interconnected problems that demand holistic solutions. The organization’s signature “4Phase sustainability plan” targets both environmental and social challenges, aiming for a world with zero hunger and zero waste14. The four phases are:
Phase 1: Reduce food wastage from wholesale and retail distribution.
Phase 2: Eliminate hunger by distributing rescued food to those in need.
Phase 3: Create biodegradable products or energy from food waste.
Phase 4: Reduce the environmental impact of organic waste through advanced composting technologies4.
This comprehensive approach ensures that food is managed sustainably from production to consumption, diverting surplus from landfills and delivering it to families facing food insecurity134.
The Four Pillars
Dipnarine developed a Four-Pillar Approach that underpins all 4MyCiTy initiatives:
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Environmental sustainability
Diplomatic sustainability1
These pillars ensure that the organization’s impact is broad, touching on every aspect of community well-being.
Programs and Community Impact
Food Rescue and Distribution
At the heart of 4MyCiTy’s work is its food rescue and distribution program. By partnering with local businesses, grocery stores, and farms, the organization rescues surplus food and redirects it to community centers, shelters, and food banks34. This not only prevents edible food from ending up in landfills but also directly addresses food insecurity in the Baltimore area and beyond.
Composting and Waste Diversion
4MyCiTy offers a free composting program for households, allowing community members to drop off food scraps or have them collected for composting within a 10-mile radius of their facility4. This initiative reduces landfill waste and produces valuable compost, furthering the organization’s environmental goals.
Job Training and Mentorship: 4MyCiTy U!
Recognizing the importance of economic empowerment, 4MyCiTy launched the 4MyCiTy U! program—a paid job training and mentorship initiative for young adults aged 16 to 23 in Baltimore24. Participants receive training in sustainable practices and community service, preparing them for entry-level positions and fostering leadership skills. Graduates are placed with partner organizations or continue employment with 4MyCiTy, creating a pipeline of skilled, socially conscious workers.
Health and Wellness Services
4MyCiTy also addresses health disparities by offering free weekly onsite health screenings, health education, and assistance with health insurance enrollment. These wrap-around services aim to prevent avoidable deaths and improve overall community health.
Leadership and Recognition
Dipnarine’s Professional Background
Christopher Dipnarine brings a diverse background in construction, IT, finance, logistics, and executive management to his role as Executive Director of 4MyCiTy5. His passion for creativity and innovation in the nonprofit sector is matched by his commitment to traditional values and helping those in need.
Awards and Honors
Under Dipnarine’s leadership, 4MyCiTy has received significant recognition:
Winner of the 2022 Fire Award by Baltimore Business Journal and Maryland Inno for innovation in the nonprofit sector.
2023 Acquisitions International Non-Profit Organization Award for Most Dedicated Environmental Sustainability Organization in the USA.
Dipnarine was a finalist for the Citizens Honors Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2023.
Thought Leadership and Partnerships
Dipnarine’s involvement with the Forbes Nonprofit Council has been instrumental in expanding 4MyCiTy’s reach. Through publishing articles, participating in expert panels, and forming strategic partnerships, he has positioned the organization as a thought leader in environmental sustainability and food waste management35. These connections have led to collaborative projects and shared resources, enhancing 4MyCiTy’s impact.
Organizational Structure and Funding
4MyCiTy operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity registered in Maryland, overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and powered by a small team of part-time employees and a large network of volunteers2. The organization’s annual budget exceeds $1,000,000, funded entirely by donations, which are tax-deductible for supporters32. Transparency and accountability are central to its operations, with regular reporting to donors and stakeholders.
Impact and Future Vision
Community Resilience Hubs
Looking ahead, Dipnarine envisions Community Resilience Hubs—centers that provide safe shelter and essential supplies during emergencies, as well as ongoing educational programs on disaster preparedness, health, and sustainability3. These hubs will empower community members with knowledge and resources, furthering 4MyCiTy’s mission of resilience and self-reliance.
Scaling and Replication
With its innovative model and proven results, 4MyCiTy aims to expand its programs and collaborate with like-minded organizations nationwide. The goal is to create scalable, replicable solutions to food waste and hunger that can be adopted in communities across the country.
Christopher Dipnarine’s journey from Trinidad and Tobago to the helm of 4MyCiTy exemplifies the power of vision, resilience, and community-driven action. Through a holistic approach that integrates food rescue, waste diversion, job training, and health services, 4MyCiTy is not only combating hunger and environmental degradation but also building stronger, more sustainable communities. As the organization continues to grow, Dipnarine’s leadership and commitment to innovation ensure that 4MyCiTy will remain at the forefront of the fight for a zero-waste, zero-hunger future.
