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Food Bank

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

Jordan McKaley Boney, RN

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

NUR 3316: Population and Global Health

Dr. Sangha, DNP, MSN. ed, MBA, RN

November 4, 2021

“I pledge that I uphold the Honor Code System and policies of Bon Secours Memorial College
of Nursing”
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Food Bank

Introduction

For this service-learning activity, I decided to volunteer for a couple of hours at Food

Bank of Central and Eastern Carolina. I chose this location because I recently moved to NC and

have noticed a substantial amount of people standing on the side of the road begging for food

and money. The site of that is detrimental and I wanted to do something that I felt would make a

difference for the new community I live in.

Noticing

While volunteering at the food bank I helped sort and repackage goods. What was

unbelievable was the amount of goods that this place held. It was a huge building full of donated

goods from local grocery stores, farmers, and a few other sources. I’ve never volunteered at a

food bank before, so I really didn’t know how things worked. The staff were super friendly and

explained everything well. Basically, after we sorted and repacked the goods they get sent to

local schools and soup kitchens in NC. Even though I didn’t work directly with the population

that I was serving, it was very humbling to know that I was helping in a huge way. While there, I

saw so many people that wanted to help give back to there community. The vines for fragrant

and positive. I would do this again.

Interpreting

I really didn’t realize how privileged I am before doing this. While there I reflected on

how others in need must feel. They had pictures of some of locations where they donated and

even quotes from some of the people that received their donations. Everyone was so thankful for

their dedications. It’s so eay to get lost in our own world and not realize what is happening with
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Food Bank

everyone else. This experience helped me realize how large the need for food is everywhere,

even in NC. I can’t imagine what people in 3rd world countries go through, because I truly didn’t

understand how many people can’t provide food for their family. I didn’t recognize any

problems there. I just recognize a lack of advertisement for this population.

Responding

I’ve learned that this vulnerable population needs all the help it can receive. I saw so

many people of all ages who wanted to help. We were able to give back to the community and

put foods in the mouths of so many hungry and less privileged individuals. It has truly made me

thankful for all that I have in life. My only suggestion is that I wish they would advertise

volunteering more. I probably would not have ever had this experience if I didn’t have this class.

Reflecting

As said before, this was a truly humbling experience. I felt like I made a difference in the

community that I live in. It gave me a better understanding of the hungry and homeless

vulnerable population that I serve so frequently. I will see this population with a more tender

view when caring for them in the ER. They are so fragile and need our help. Food is so important

for our health and healing. I would love to volunteer at this location again.