For my last reading week as an undergraduate student, I
wanted to experience something new and also learn more about a particular
issue. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I have heard amazing stories
from students who participated in Project Serve (https://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/cegc/project-serve/reading-week-programs-vancouver-mississippi-nawash-guelph).
When thinking of which programs to choose, I decided to learn about the issue
of race and poverty in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. There were three volunteer
placements to choose from which were: Habitat for Humanity, Edward St.
Fellowship Center, and Hawkins Elementary School. Out of the three, I decided
to pick Edward St. Fellowship Center (http://www.esfcntr.org)
knowing that they have gardens and a food bank.
Edward St. Fellowship Center used to have community gardens
where they would administer classes on how to do home gardening. They would
provide a container or a piece of land to help communities in improving their
health by gardening their fruits and vegetables. The only reason why they
decided to end their program is that the gardener who administers the classes
passed away.
The tasks that we did were helping at their gardens (planting
apple trees and pear trees, and taking out the weeds in various blueberry
bushes), packing food for food distribution, and organizing the thrift store.
The organization not only invests in ensuring the food security of their
clients but they also invest in their well-being. For instance, they try their
best to only distribute food that is healthy.
Also, they plant fruits and vegetables on their land. With regards to food resources, the fellowship
center receives donated food but also purchases food. In the end, these efforts
contribute to the food security of the community at an individual level. Many
individuals on the receiving end are nourished because of this program.
Throughout my experience as a volunteer for Edward St. Fellowship
Center, I notice that the organization tries to work with the community to
fight against food insecurity. Moreover, not only do they aim to feed
individuals, they also work hard to help their clients maintain a suitable
lifestyle.
To be specific, I learned that:
1.
Food is a very important part of
people’s culture.
2.
Community gardens are very
important.
3.
Race and food deserts are related.
4.
Food banks should be better
designed.