Oxfam America

 

 

Some of you may have had the opportunity to attend the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet that took place yesterday, or maybe you have attended a Hunger Banquet in the past.

The Hunger Banquet is a powerful event that allows people to experience the inequality of food distribution that occurs around the world. I remember at my first Hunger Banquet, sitting on the floor with a handful of rice, being moved to tears by experiencing poverty at a level that millions of people are subjected to. They say that 1 out of every 7 people goes to bed hungry. This statistic really hit home for me because I have 7 people in my own family. I remember thinking: What if this was one of my own family members having that small amount of food to eat on a daily basis? And I knew right then that this issue was going to become very important to me.

Oxfam America is a "global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger and injustice."
Thier vision: A just world without poverty.
Their mission: To create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and social injustice.

Instead of just providing charity to poor people, Oxfam works on empowering people and communities through creating sustainable solutions that will last.

One of their big campaigns is the GROW Campaign. The mission of this Campaign is to "build a better food system: one that sustainably feeds a growing population and empowers poor people to earn a living, feed their families, and thrive."

If you are interested in learning more about the work of Oxfam America, you can visit their website: www.oxfamamerica.org.

If you want to get more involved in Oxfam America, you can check out their CHANGE program at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/take-action/student-action/change.

The CHANGE Program is a student leadership program that "develops capable leaders, who are informed voices for positive social change, and who inspire greater global awareness in others." As a CHANGE Leader, you become more informed about issues surrounding poverty, hunger and injustice and learn how to spread awareness and activism about these issues on your campus.

As a CHANGE Leader Alumni, I can say that this was an amazing experience that taught me a lot. Not only that, but you get to meet college students from all over the U.S. who are just as passionate as you about creating change.

If you are interested in finding out more information about the CHANGE Program, feel free to contact me at hilln@my.easternct.edu and I would love to tell you about my own experience!


~Nicolle Hill, CCE Intern

October...the month of food!

October is all about food! The pumpkin obsession, the apple sensations, the warm soups, and hot drinks. As the days get colder, we find ourselves leaning more and more towards food as a source of comfort.
October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month and Fair Trade Month. It's the month of World Food Day and National Food Day. There is even a national Taco Day and a National Candy Corn Day and I am sure there are many others!
The day that is coming up next is National Food Day which is October 24, 2013. "Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affortable and sustainable food" (Foodday.org).
According to Foodday.org, this year's National Food Day aims to:

• Promote safer, healthier diets: Currently in America, the top sources of calories for children ages 2-18 are grain desserts such as cake and cookies, pizza, and sugary drinks.
• Support sustainable and organic farms: The USDA estimates that of all the food sales that occur in the U.S. Market for agricultural products, only 1.6 percent of these sales come from local farms.
• Reduce Hunger: More than 16 million children in America live in a household that struggles to put food on the table on a daily basis.
• Reform factory farms to protect the environment and farm animals: 70 percent of all polution that occurs in U.S. rivers and streams comes from Agricultural practices and especially larger scale operations.
• Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers: The average annual income for crop workers is between $10,000 and $12,499 for individuals and $15,000 and $17,499 for families.

How can you help?

• "Write or call your U.S. senators, U.S. representative, governor, state legislators, mayor, or city council and ask them to support increased funding for healthy food initiatives, including promotions of fruits and vegetables, campaigns against junk food, or getting rid of junk foods from all city or state property and using the government’s buying power to support local and/or organic farming" (foodday.org)
• Visit the FoodDay.org website to find out more information about holding a Food Day event.
• Join the environmental club, People Helping People or Food Justice Committee on campus
• Volunteer in local schools and help teach kids about healthy eating

To find out about any of the opportunities listed above contact the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternct.edu.

Food Justice Committee

 

Like to Garden? Do you love food? Do you want to help out the community in an active way?

Join the Food Justice Committee!!!

 

Hi Everyone!

My name is Nicolle and I am interning at the Center for Community Engagement this semester!

The photo/quote above was something that I saw when I was scrolling through Pinterest. I love Pinterest. It always amazes me how many great ideas people have. Not only that, but I have gotten some great recipies off of Pinterest! There are also days when I go on Pinterest and I feel so encouraged by quotes, such as the one above, and the stories that people are able to share just by "pinning" something on their "board."

Yesterday, I felt so inspired, and it was not because of something I saw on Pinterest or another social media site. I felt inspired because of what I saw at the Service Fair that took place alongside Eastern's Activity Fair. There was table after table exhibiting all the amazing community programs, alternative break opportunities and special events taking place this academic year. Student leaders sat next to community members conversing about their projects and why they were important to them. Posters, flyers, stickers, sunglasses and candy made the tables look so interesting and engaging.

As I watched Eastern students, from freshmen to seniors, walk up to these tables, I saw faces light up with passion as genuine conversations took place on what issues interested them. Pages and pages were filled on student interest sheets with names, phone numbers and e-mails of those interested in reaching out to the community through volunteering.

There were tables featuring the CCE, the Food Justice Committee, the Alternative Break Program, The Access Agency, WAIM, Relay for Life, afterschool programs, The Journey House, tutoring programs and so many more!

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to run a table and everyone who supported the Service Fair. I love that I do not have to just read the quotes  on Pinterest, or  just hear about great things happening around the world on the news to be inspired. By seeing how many people were interested in signing up and wanted to find out more information about all the community service opportunities happening this year, I know that there is going to be some amazing, encouraging and inspiring things happening right here in Willimantic, Connecticut!

The Service Fair was only the beginning; Let's get started Eastern Connecticut State University Student Volunteers!

 

August 2014 Volunteer Opportunities

Who can believe it! Less than a month until the next semester begins. We're looking forward to another amazing year of volunteering and seeing returning students as well as meeting new ones. 

For those of you who want to get a kick-start on some volunteer work, consider the following opportunities for this month (August) and let us know what you're interested in!

Eastern Community Education Garden

Volunteers help garden, weed, and harvest fruits and vegetables from Eastern's own garden. Students run it and students lead it.

When: Varies

Time: Varies

Where: Eastern Connecticut State University

Connecticut Food Bank Mobile Truck

Volunteers help distribute food to clients of the truck. Those who use its services generally do not have regular access to fresh food and the truck serves as another source of getting nutritious groceries.

When: August 27

Time: 12:30-2:30pm

Where: 199 Valley Street

Warrior Welcome Service Project

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer students are receiving and email this month giving them the choice to sign up for 1 of 11 projects they can participate in on the second day of their August orientation! Sites include, but are not limited to: gardening, craft projects for expecting mothers and shelter animals, and helping at the Soup Kitchen.

When: August 27

Time: 10:30am-4:00pm

Where: At Eastern and various locations around Willimantic

Eastern's Community Education Garden Grows!

Over the past three months students, faculty, and community members have been growing fruits and vegetables for the local soup kitchen at Eastern’s Community Education Garden. Inside its white picket fence on High Street, one can find waist-high potato plants, a variety of heirloom tomatoes, sugar peas, pole beans, and strawberries. Carrot and corn shoots are beginning to peep up out of the soil. Beets, onions, and garlic are nearing a foot in height.

Recently interns from the Institute of Sustainable Energy planted watermelon. Jalapeno peppers were put in the soil with the help of Windham High School students. Sweet herbs from the Willimantic Farmer’s Market, stevia, and chocolate mint mark off the tea corner. A multifarious band of volunteers from the Eastern community come to help out: biology professors, athletic trainers, resident assistants,  and librarians. This week a Visitor’s Welcome sign is being installed to invite anyone who wishes to come in and have a look around.

Guest post: Bryan, '15

Find more pictures here!

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/detail.sfly?imageIndex=0&sid=0AYs2jdk5cN2Lkw&fid=fee91f8dcca5f339

Reflections on the Food Justice Committee

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Student interest and awareness of food justice issues is on the rise. For the first time on campus a Food Justice Committee was formed within the CCE. Members involved were very diverse in a variety of capacities. A majority of the committee members were Eastern students ranging from first year students to seniors, commuters, and even faculty members. The committee convened on a weekly basis in the CCE to discuss the current state of food access to the Willimantic community. Committee members actively engaged in hands on volunteer efforts to educate the community on healthy eating and directly increased the access to fresh and health food to all members of our community including low income populations.  For instance, on a weekly basis students participated in a 12 week 4H afterschool Food and Nutrition program at Windham Middle School. The curriculum was designed by the committee and the program taught topics such as how food grows, reading labels, the water cycle, etc. Additionally, the committee has worked with the CT Food Bank to bring its mobile food pantry to Willimantic for the first time ever! The mobile pantry will provide Willimantic residents with 5,000lbs. of fresh food, free of charge, on the last Tuesday of each month.  With collaboration with the CT Food Bank, committee members participated in two gleanings at a local apple orchard. Gleanings are defined as picking through a farmer’s left over crop to salvage food for other uses. Members were able to pick 500lbs. of apples that would have otherwise rotted and donated them to Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and the Covenant Soup Kitchen. Aside from off campus volunteerism, committee members conducted an on-campus food audit of Hurley Hall. Members put together an infographic which was placed around campus to encourage students to be aware of their food footprint. Finally, the committee members actively participate in enrichment activities to gain further understanding of the topic of food justice. For example, they have toured organic farms, interacted with farmers, attended a food justice conference in NYC, visited farmer markets and toured co-ops around the state. All of the committee’s hard work was recognized at this years’ service expo where the committee was awarded “Best New Program.” The committee will continue to grow (literally and figuratively) to get much needed resources and education not only to our off campus community but to the Eastern community as well.

Food & Nutrition Program Week 1

Friday, January 27, 2012

Yesterday we went to Windham Middle School to kick off our 4H Food and Nutrition Program. Since it was our first time we did some ice breaker games that most Eastern students dread doing but the kids absolutely LOVED! It was a lot of fun to see them excited about games like "Squirt", "Move Your Booty", and "Get on the Bus." The ice breakers helped ease away the shyness some kids had when they approached us.

Our first activity was called "Bean Buddy." Basically, we went over the basics of what plants need to grow: water, air, sunlight, and soil. We then constructed mini greenhouses which had all of these with plastic bags. This activity will be the catalyst for our program as next week we'll get to see how the plant started to germinate and have activities about seeds. The next weeks will be dedicated to soil, water, plants, climate, sun/photosynthesis, and nutrition!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped out! Stay posted to hear about our adventures in the weeks to follow...

1st FJC Meeting Wrap Up

Monday, January 23, 2012

Meeting Notes

Thank you to those that attended the first Food Justice Committee meeting! We went over:

• - Why we’re here
• -   Goals of the committee
• -   How the committee will work
• -   4H After School Program

Some of the food justice interest of those who were able to attend were: GMOs, food politics, nutrition, the industry, appreciation of food, farming, hunger & access locally, volunteering, youth.

We’re going to have a discussion at our weekly meetings on these topics. We’ll all share in taking on a leading a discussion based on our interest where we can share what we have read/watched/heard and have a discussion as a group about the information and how we can address that particular in Willimantic. From that, we can plan our events. This is no pressure or formality required whatsoever!

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is Monday, January 30^th at 1pm again in the CCE. Becky is going to investigate information on the local status of the population and food security. We will discuss her findings next week. Feel free to search around too and if you find anything, bring it to next week’s meeting.

Whitney brought up some interesting ideas after the meeting in regards to food waste, dumpster diving, and Chartwells. We’ll get into that too!

4H After School Program

This Thursday we will be starting a Food & Nutrition After School Program at Windham Middle School. Thank you to those who expressed interest in helping with this initiative. We will be working with 11 middle schoolers on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm. We will plan and put on a basic curriculum on how plants grow (i.e. lessons on soil, sunlight, water, parts of a plant, etc) and healthy eating (i.e. “my plate”, reading food labels, etc). Starting in March, we will go to Sweeney Elementary School on Fridays and work with the Middle Schoolers to enable them to teach the younger kids the same lessons! Should be a lot of fun J If you would like to as volunteer as well, please let me know ASAP.

Resources

Courtesy of Dr. Curran:

http://farmlandgrab.org. Good source of international data and current research.

http://www.fao.org. The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization. Excellent general and country-specific information and current research. Good for globalization data.

http://www.usda.gov. US Department of Agriculture.  Good source for food recalls (agency archives goes back to 1996), food research, rural community data, food security and nutrition data, info on WIC and child nutrition.

www.epa.gov. US Environmental Protection Agency. Info on environmental regulation of agricultural chemicals, on agriculture-related contamination, pesticides, climate change, and sustainability.

www.fda.gov. Food and Drug Administration. Good info on food safety and recalls, regulatory science, and globalization.

www.ufw.org. United Farm Workers site. Great data on US farm labor practices, current research, pesticide data, good video lab too.

www.un.org. The UN site where there’s additional data under the headings of development, human rights, and the World Food Programme.

www.worldbank.org. The World Bank site where you can search specific projects related to food production and get data on world hunger.

www.imf.org. International Monetary Fund. Another good source for country-specific data.

Books: Diet for a Dead Planet, Banana, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, The Compassionate Carnivore, and Fashionable Foodn Fast Food Nation, The Death of Ramon Garcia, Food Politics, What to Eat.

Have a great week and I hope to see you at our next meeting, Monday January  30^th at 1pm in the CCE!

Food Justice Committee!

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Food Justice Committee (FJC) was formed in Fall of 2011 by Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement to address issues of food insecurity, poverty and education in the Willimantic community. The committee’s goals are:

• To increase donations of fresh and healthy food to local agencies
• To educate the community on how to prepare and cook healthy foods
• To develop and facilitate a weekly after school program curriculum on nutrition and gardening
• To promote local farmers, farmer markets, eating local and a healthy community
• To expand the knowledge of the Eastern community (students and staff)  of current agricultural issues
• To promote and maintain urban gardens

Qualifications

• An interest in issues related to: poverty, inequality, nutrition, food, education, environment, etc.
• Critical and analytical thinking skills
• Ability to manage time and balance academic life with extra-curricular activities
• Willingness to learn, grow, and have fun
• Knowledge of or interest in program
• Being pro-active and assertive

Time Commitments

• Demonstrate commitment by attending FJC meetings
• Willingness to participate in events sponsored by the FJC
• Optional participation in a once a week after school program lesson at Windham Middle School 

Meeting times have yet to be established for Spring semester. All interested students should contact Brit Cava, AmeriCorps VISTA at cavab@easternct.edu or 860-465-0684!

A "Gleaning" Opportunity!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Did you know that there is more than enough food on earth to sufficiently feed every single person? Despite this, there are still millions of people who go hungry every day. At the Center for Community Engagment, one of our missions is to reduce the number of people who are going hungry in our community. One of the ways that we are doing this is through "gleanings."

Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmer's fields that would otherwise be left in the fields to rot or be plowed under after harvest. Some ancient cultures promoted gleaning as an early form of a welfare system.

Gleanings allow us to go to local farms and take the crops that the farmers know they will not sell. Our first gleaning was at Oak Haven Farm right down the road in Scotland, CT. We got to go apple picking and collected over 200 pounds of apples and donated them to our local Salvation Army and Catholic Charities right down the road. It was a great opportunity to save fruit that otherwise would have been wasted! Not to mention, fresh vegetables and fruits are not always readily available to those in poverty.

Special thanks to Oak Haven Farm for letting us come down and pick apples, they even let us pick more than we originally anticipated! And a big thank you to our volunteers, Nicole and Israel!

Garden On The Go Brings Fresh Produce To Food Deserts

BY ARIEL SCHWARTZ

Obesity is undoubtedly a major problem in the U.S, but it's nearly impossible to stop in the nation's food deserts, which lack access to affordable, healthy food. The California Freshworks Fund announced recently that it is giving $200 million to food vendors (everything from grocery stores to food trucks) in the state's food deserts, but Indiana already has a potential solution on the ground in the form of Garden on the Go, a truck filled with local and regional fruits and vegetables that stops throughout the week in an area that lacks easy access to healthful food.

The truck, created through a partnership between Indiana University Health and Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, has been in operation since May. It stops at a dozen places in Marion County, including public housing and senior facilities, and customers can pay for their produce with food stamps. The mobile produce truck has, according to Garden on the Go, been wildly successful--it just hit its 5,000th customer.

Garden on the Go isn't the only mobile produce market cruising the country. New York City's Holton Farms Mobile Farm Truck brings its produce to CSA members throughout the city, and Maine's Mobile Farm Stand brings fresh fruit and vegetables to senior housing sites. So food desert denizens, take note: as of now, the produce truck may be the best obesity-fighting option around.