Volunteered at Urban Recipe through Honors Program (+3 Points: Volunteer work related to career goals)

A couple weeks ago, I was able to volunteer at Urban Recipe through the Honors Program. Urban Recipe is an organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity by providing groceries to families in need while maintaining dignity throughout the process and fostering community building. Our group spent a few hours packing boxes with nutrient packed foods, sorting donations, and bagging dozens of bagels for distribution. The work may have seemed simple, but the impact is the most important part as each box we packed helps a family feel supported.I truly appreciated the chance to not only bond with my honors program peers, but help to nurture the community outside the gates. Because of this, I always enjoy opportunities at Urban Recipe. I like the hands on approach to service, not even interacting with the community but being behind the scenes of care, which is just as important. Packing boxes required teamwork, communication, and attention to detail to ensure that every family received balanced and fair portions. The staff at Urban Recipe were warm and organized, guiding us through the process with kindness and passion for their roles.I would say it was sometimes hard to ensure all the boxes were packed because other groups could be at a different pace or not directly in order. Despite that challenge, we made sure each box was handled with care and was up to the standard of the organization. Also, maybe we could have a discussion about how our efforts helps positively contribute to larger social issues in the community, helping us stay informed and also be better community advocates. While consistently working at Urban Recipe, I have truly being able to see how small, consistent acts of care can truly led to positive change. This activity connected deeply with themes like equity, access, and community wellness as we were working to combat food insecurity. Working with my Honors Program peers also reminded me of the importance of collaboration and shared mission. It was meaningful to see students from different academic backgrounds come together to serve and support our community. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to being involved in community service beyond the classroom. It reminded me that compassion isn’t limited to clinical settings, but wherever people come together to meet a need. Even though packing boxes may seem pointless to some, I have been showed time and time again that they have great meaning. Christian Scott