Reducing Food Insecurity in the Seneca-Babcock Community

Logo of the Seneca Babcock Community Association.

Help reduce food insecurity within the Seneca-Babcock community by volunteering at a food pantry.

Project description

Food insecurity impacts over 56,000 households in Western New York. This project allows you to make an impact in the Seneca-Babcock community to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity. Students will work together to set up and support food pantry patrons in making food choices that affect the health of their families. This is an in-person, hands-on opportunity. COVID-19 precautions including masking of all students and volunteers is required.

Students will help with:

  • Setting-up the food pantry
  • Setting out both fresh and canned food
  • Assist "shopping" patrons through the pantry, which allows them to choose the items they wish to take home.
  • Assist patrons in carrying items to their cars
  • Restocking pantry items

Project outcome

  • Students will volunteer at the pantry for a total of 10 hours of volunteer work, which can be done throughout a semester or during breaks, as the pantry runs year-round.
  • Create a recipe using food from the food pantry.
  • Provide strategies to increase access to fresh and healthy foods.

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Total of 10 volunteer hours plus project work
Start time Anytime
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-person
Level of collaboration Varies
Benefits Academic credit; volunteer hours
Who is eligible All undergraduate students 

Core partners

  • Seneca-Babcock Community Association

Project mentor

Jessica Kruger

Clinical Assistant Professor

Community Health and Health Behavior

319 Kimball Hall

Phone: (716) 829-6748

Email: jskruger@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
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Preparation activities

The specific preparation activities for this project will be customized through discussions between you and your project mentor. Please be sure to ask them for the instructions to complete the required preparation activities.

Keywords

Community Health and Health Behavior