Volunteers In Service To America Experience: Spencer Brown 

Last July, I made the roughly 2,000 mile journey from Boise, Idaho to Houston, Texas. I had made the commitment to work at the Houston Food Bank for a year, doing what I could to end hunger, and all while adhering to a pledge of poverty. Though this year was not easy, I am grateful for the experience and the things I learned while fulfilling the criteria of my assignment.

Over the course of this year, I have worked on a variety of projects. I worked on a SNAP Mobile Unit, a modified airport shuttle setup to assist clients with applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. While working on this H.E.B. pilot program, I conducted surveys of clients and staff and did additional research to assess the benefits of the Houston Food Bank acquiring a unit for their own, full time use.

I met with partner agencies and churches in the counties outside of Harris to discuss getting them involved in the SNAP and Groceries To Go Program. This program in addition to assisting clients with applying for SNAP brings 10,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables into communities.

I have helped recruit volunteers for different events. Meeting with people in person and utilizing social media, I was able to get people involved with the different food distributions we had. I was even able to recruit 37 volunteers to help with Martin Luther King Day of Service, which was a community event and food distribution.

I have written and contributed several communications. I submitted posts for the Houston Food Bank’s Facebook and Twitter pages and was a regular contributor to the Houston Food Bank Partners e-newsletter.

In addition, I have delivered presentations to potential partner agencies about services at the Houston Food Bank, given tours of the Houston Food Bank to various groups, and assisted people with applying for SNAP.

Though there were always challenges, I have enjoyed my year and working with the staff at the Houston Food Bank, who are very generous and always willing to lend a hand. Thanks to my time at the Food Bank I know I am ready for my next challenge of moving to Tucson, Arizona, where I will be serving as a VISTA Leader. Thank you Houston Food Bank for a great year!