Strengthening Food Access on Campus
“Volunteering (and now working) here has really shifted my perspective. I feel that it’s opened my eyes to what poverty really looks like, what hunger really looks like, and it’s made me a strong advocate for those in need.”
As the University Liaison VISTA member at Neighborhood Services Inc. (NSI) Food Pantry, Emily Peña has focused on cultivating relationships between her site and the surrounding community. Specifically, she has worked to build a stronger presence for NSI at The Ohio State University among students, faculty, and the administration. In this role, Emily has increased student awareness of food access resources through presentations in both student clubs and classrooms.
As a result of her time as a VISTA member, Emily has gained important skills in grant writing, outreach, and volunteer recruitment. One particularly fulfilling project was putting together a service event for MLK Day. In this project, Emily played an essential role in every aspect, from writing the grant and recruiting volunteers, to directing operations the day of.
“I feel so fortunate to have found a program in which professional development is so heavily encouraged,” says Emily. “Going into my service term, I had no experience with nonprofit organizations beyond the time I’d spent volunteering at my host site.”
Because the COVID-19 pandemic began while Emily was a student at OSU, getting involved in her community beyond campus life proved a challenge. However, upon finishing school, she began volunteering with NSI.
“I immediately saw and felt the impact they were making all over Columbus,” she says. “Volunteering (and now working) here has really shifted my perspective. I feel that it’s opened my eyes to what poverty really looks like, what hunger really looks like, and it’s made me a strong advocate for those in need.”
As University Liaison, Emily has also been proud to pioneer new partnerships with OSU, including a collaboration with the university’s Community Health Worker program. As a result of her efforts, she has even been invited to present as a guest lecturer in an OSU classroom.
Moving into her next opportunity, Emily hopes to carry forward an openness to learning through new experiences. In the fall, she is excited to start her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Akron University. As a mental health professional, she is eager to continue community-based work. Reflecting on her service, she feels that being a VISTA member has given her a much-needed perspective that will increase her effectiveness as a counselor.
“I would absolutely recommend national service to others,” Emily says. “It has been such a privilege to work so closely with my neighbors and serve my community.”
Thanks for your service, Emily!
