Improving Access, Dignity, and Support Through Service

Claire Sharp has spent her service year at the May Dugan Center building systems that help people access food with greater dignity, consistency, and ease. Serving as the Food Program & Development Associate, Claire’s work has touched nearly every part of the organization’s operations, from food distribution and data management to communications, development, and administrative support. While much of her work happened behind the scenes, its impact has been felt directly by the thousands of community members who rely on the Center’s services.

One of Claire’s most impactful accomplishments was helping design and implement an automated appointment system for food distribution. The goal was simple but important: reduce long wait times, distribute appointments more evenly throughout the day, and ensure food was reserved for clients with scheduled appointments. But for Claire, the work extended far beyond creating the system itself. She gathered client feedback, revised outreach materials, and translated appointment information into multiple languages to make the process more accessible. Her attention to implementation made a measurable difference. After the system launched, client traffic during busy Wednesday distributions became dramatically more balanced, reducing overcrowding and improving the overall experience for both clients and staff.

Claire also led a major GIS mapping project analyzing food pantry usage across Cleveland wards. By cleaning and geocoding data from more than 8,000 individuals served, she helped demonstrate the broad reach of the pantry’s services to local leaders and stakeholders. The project showed that the pantry served approximately 26,400 people in the previous year, with most clients living within the City of Cleveland. Beyond the data itself, Claire created documentation and tutorials so the project could be replicated in the future, turning the initiative into a sustainable organizational tool rather than a one-time report.

Throughout her term, Claire focused on creating systems that would continue benefiting the organization long after her service ended. She developed internal tools such as an automated PTO request process, a centralized SharePoint grant portal, and improved document management systems to support staff efficiency and communication. She also contributed to development and fundraising efforts through donor tracking, grant research, social media content, storybanking, and event support.

For Claire, one of the most important lessons of her service year was learning that good systems require more than good ideas. They also require clear communication, accessibility, staff buy-in, and ongoing support. She saw firsthand how even well-designed processes could unintentionally create barriers if implementation was inconsistent. That experience deepened her understanding of what sustainable capacity-building truly means and reinforced her commitment to creating systems that are fair and user-friendly.

Her service experience was also shaped by witnessing increased food insecurity during periods of SNAP uncertainty and funding shortfalls. Seeing families line up around the building for food assistance transformed her understanding of poverty and public service.

“It forces you to sit with the reality that policy decisions, delays, and shortfalls are not abstract,” Claire shared. “They show up in people’s lives immediately.”

As she completes her Master of Public Administration, Claire hopes to continue working in nonprofit, government, or public service roles focused on systems improvement, community engagement, and social services. Reflecting on her term, she believes her greatest contribution is the collection of sustainable systems, tools, and processes she leaves behind — work that will continue helping organizations serve their communities more effectively in the years ahead.

“I would recommend national service to others who are interested in public service, especially if they want a meaningful way to dip their toe into social services work and better understand whether it is the right fit for them,” says Claire. “Honestly, I did not know if I would be able to handle this kind of work, especially seeing people’s needs so directly and personally. But this experience has shown me that I am capable of doing hard things, and it has reinvigorated my passion for serving my community.”

Great work, Claire, and thanks for your service!