College intern reflects on her experience

Trinity College senior Maggie Lenahan has joined the team at Foodshare this fall with an internship in our agency services department.  She recently sent me these reflections on her first couple of weeks:

"Hello! I am a senior at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where I am studying Anthropology and Health, Wellness and Nutrition. I am grateful and excited to be working with Foodshare this semester as an Agency Relations Intern. From an anthropological and health perspective, Foodshare’s worthwhile work is relevant to both of my majors and interests. Last week, I was able to sit in on the Mobile Roundtable to hear how the Mobile Foodshare sites began 12 years ago and the shared discussion on how the sites are working, what issues have come about, and how they have been mediated or improved, as well as thoughts on integrating other features such as further nutrition and governmental program options and education at the sites for the clients benefit.

"Last Friday, I then had the opportunity to volunteer at the largest Mobile Foodshare site in Hartford and Tolland counties. At St. Augustine’s, I was able to see the work Foodshare does first hand. I was also informed that Foodshare has their employees go to one of the pantry sites to interact directly with the clients and hand out the food or help where needed, at least once a year. I think this shows the true colors of Foodshare well, because it is an important activity for the employees who work so hard to help positively impact these people in need of food but are working behind the scenes or in an office to allow for this to happen. Therefore, experiencing the distribution and gratefulness of the clients first hand is a powerful reminder of how important the work they do every day really is; and I think really demonstrates the relationships and care for work Foodshare wants to foster.

"The St. Augustine Mobile Distribution site is the largest Foodshare mobile site and served around 300 people last Friday. The site has had issues with the crowds and organization in the parking lot in the past, so on this distribution day, their goal was to get the line in order with the help and participation of the people. The majority of the people waiting for the distribution were Spanish-speakers. The volunteer coordinator from a nearby Mobile Foodshare site at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Maria, came by to help.  She was able to explain to them in both English and Spanish the situation of a necessary organization in the parking lot and lining up needed for everyone’s safety and the most efficiency. She politely asked and informed the people that we wanted the truck to continue running smoothly at the site and that she knew they would like the truck to keep coming, as well; therefore they all needed to work together. The group she was speaking to ended up applauding for her, following directions, and working with the volunteers well to stay organized and arranged through the distribution. It was great to see how easily a problem such as this can be mediated simply expressing to the clients how we need to work together to provide the best, safest, and most efficient service we can. This ends up benefiting them, the volunteers and the coordinators of the site. Hopefully the site and people attending will continue to work with orderly, efficient and respectful fashion.

"I am excited to see the impact of small changes alike at other sites or to be a part of such a gratifying distribution and experience again.  Thank you to Foodshare and all of the volunteers and clients at the site!"