Capital Area Food Bank: Fighting Food Insecurity in the DMV

Presenter: Jeanie Hwang, Nursing, Global Public Health Scholars

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For my practicum, I chose to volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank distribution center, as I wanted to choose a service-learning activity where I feel that I’m making a contribution to a community in need. My duties consisted of preparing bags for food packages, opening food containers and arranging them for easy handling, placing food items in the packages, and boxing items for shipping. During my time volunteering, I learned about the importance of having an efficient scheduling system for volunteers. Without an organized system, properly packing and giving away the food donations would be near impossible. Additionally, without the consistent attendance of volunteers, the Food Bank would be unable to run effectively. Even if we may not be able to see the direct effects ourselves, taking the time to participate in activities like this has a positive impact on individuals who otherwise wouldn’t have access to necessary resources. Addressing a problem like food insecurity will have a cascading positive effect, as having adequate food supply could lead to greater earning potential, productivity, and focus, which would then benefit the outcomes of future generations. Like many other public health problems, helping solve one makes solving others easier.