It’s More Than Just 10 Months

The past two months of my AmeriCorps service have been the biggest eye opener for me. I have been serving at the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry as their nutrition educator. My site provides food and social services to those who are food insecure in the community. Over the last two months, I have learned a great deal about pantry operations, food policies, and creating nutrition education material. However, I don’t consider these to be the most important things I have learned so far. While these skills are very useful and I will certainly use them in my professional career, seeing the effects that food insecurity has on a person has by far been the most valuable experience I have gained from my site.

Food is a basic necessity and many of us, including myself, have taken it for granted at some point in our lives. Serving at my site, I have seen just how powerful food truly is. From the elderly man whose cabinets are empty to the young mother who goes without eating so her children have enough food, food insecurity has no limitations. When clients come to my site, many of them say they never thought they would need to go to a food pantry or that they feel ashamed that they are asking for help. It hurts to hear them say these things however that pain is shortly erased when we bring them a grocery cart full of food. Seeing the relief on their faces is one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced. We have had numerous clients cry tears of joy when they receive their food. They repeatedly thank you and say how much this means to them. The outpour of emotion is difficult to handle in those moments and I have found myself with tearful eyes many times.

Food insecurity is often times just part of the struggle the clients face. Unemployment, personal and legal issues are just some of the many other things our clients deal with. This is why my site not only gives our clients food, but also provides them with access to resources like access to the local career development center and an onsite social worker. It’s not just about filling empty stomachs, it’s about providing hope, opportunities, and support when our clients need it most.

No one should have to struggle with meeting basic needs, yet so many in our country do. Serving at my host site has helped me to see the ugly truth about food insecurity and other issues that surround it. I know that my year of service won’t eliminate the problems many of my clients face and that’s okay. This year of service is about getting things done and making an impact that will last beyond just these 10 months.