Food pantry assignment

FYS Albany County Food Pantry Service Project (FYS Outcomes 1 - 6) Goal: Students will volunteer at the Albany County Civic Center Food Pantry where they will commit no less than 10 hours. More details will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Directions: Complete the following report according to the dates shared in class. Parts One and Two should be submitted to WYOCourse. PART ONE: Minimum of 10 Service Hours Completed (40 points) 1. Keep a record of your hours. 2. Follow your group schedule for completion of a minimum of 10 hours. PART TWO: Service Report and Reflection (20 points) ● Group 1: October 28 ● Group 2: December 4 Respond to the following questions, 1-4. Write in paragraph format. The length should be at least 1 paragraph per question. 1. How many hours did you dedicate to service? Were these hours spread throughout the semester or completed intensively at the end of the semester? Please detail where you provided service (food pantry, food drives, etc.) a. I provided my service exclusively at the Interfaith Food Pantry, this service ranged from commodities week to helping them throw their safe treat for children in the Laramie community. Besides that, I worked with others in the class to organize and restructure parts of the pantry (i.e. the pet corner and the diaper section) and to restock. Additionally, I spent time at the counter, interacting with those in need of the pantry’s services. 2. How does the service experience relate to class material? a. This service has had profound moments for me relating to the class material, and ultimately what I want to study and do post college. Seeing people break stereotypes in real life and encouraging kindness with those who are less fortunate than you are all applicable to any encounters with others, and especially those in need and refugees. The content that we have learned alongside the service in class and the relationships I have formed with this project have been extremely beneficial for a first year seminar course. 3. How can this experience apply to situations in your life? a. As I briefly mentioned in the previous question, I believe that this project through Interfaith has taught me to put less stock in stereotypes and simply to just be kind to anyone, whether they are in need or a peer. Ultimately, you do not know what someone is going through personally in their life and it is unfair to assume that you do. Through service and being kind to that individual, you are bettering not only their day, but your own. 4. What stereotypes are you confronting about the people you serve? Have you reconceptualized these stereotypes? What new information led you to do this? a. I remember reading a statistic in high school that mentioned only one in six Americans has had a genuine conversation with a refugee and considers to “know” them. Although I did not knowingly cross the paths of any refugees at Interfaith, I feel the same stands for individuals who are classified as low income. The stigma exists about them, that they are using the system and they are purposefully staying unemployed. And it’s simply not true, these individuals are trying their best to make it out of poverty and provide for their families, I am sure if they had their choice they would rather be shopping at Albertsons then receiving aid. These individuals deserve respect not only from volunteers at the food pantry but from community members. After all, they are trying their best to better their lives and the lives of their family. PART THREE: Service Report and Reflection (15 points) ● Group 1: October 28 ● Group 2: December 4 1. Participate as a small group to share your service experiences with classmates. You can use Part Two as a reference for discussion. 1. Completed December 4th in class