Chrystal L. Allard
Nursing 4215
“I Pledge”
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Noticing:
I will be discussing in this reflective paper my experience at The York County Church
Women United Food Closet. The York County Church Women United Food Closet provides food
to those in need. While I was there, I saw people from all ethic backgrounds coming to receive
food that they could not afford to buy themselves. There were people young and old, black,
white, Hispanic, Asian. Some people had children with them some had caregivers with them. I
also saw an enormous number of volunteers helping out. The volunteers were either stalking
shelves or handing out food. The volunteers were asking those picking up food what they would
like to take if they had food allergies or food restrictions. I over heard volunteers talking to the
shoppers as if they were their own family. I not once saw anyone passing judgement or mocking
them. Some of the volunteers seemed to know shopper very well. This made me feel like I was in
a community that cared very deeply for one another. Everyone was friendly and helpful. My job
at the food closet was help the shoppers find what they needed. My expectations were met. I
knew I would be handing out food or stalking shelves. I had really wanted to help the shoppers
find what they were looking for and maybe talk with them about who they are and about their
Interpreting
How do my values and experiences as part of a certain cultural, racial, ethnic, religious
group, socioeconomic status group shape what I hear and see? During my experience at the food
closet I tried set any bias aside. That was easy to do since I have been in this vulnerable
population’s shoes myself. Having been in a situation where I had to rely on others to feed my
family made me respect them and want to help them even more. I have no religious group that I
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better now than it was which I am grateful for. It made me realize that I was very fortunate and
wished I could do more for those I was serving at the food closet. I guess you could say because
What problem did I see? I saw many unfortunate people who were unable to buy food for
themselves and their families. After taking to some of the shoppers in the food closet I learned
that many of them do not have access to grocery stores. Nor do they have no money to afford the
food from the stores nearby them. They have to rely on friends and family to bring them food.
Some of the population I served had lost their jobs and have not been able to find employment
due to lack of education. The other problem I saw was elderly people not able to afford groceries
due to over priced rent. I also met a few immigrants that have not been able to find work needing
What assets or solutions to the problems did I see? I saw the food closet as an asset to the
community. So many people in the community rely on the food closet to provide them with food.
A solution to the problem could be more food banks available, or mobile markets. They could
start a community garden so that those who do get food from the food closet can volunteer in the
garden and help grow the food they need and also help others just like them.
Responding
What have I learned about the needs of this vulnerable population? I have learned that
this vulnerable population needs access to better food. They need help being able to buy food and
care for their families. What gifts did I offer? I offered my nursing knowledge of healthy eating
to those that wanted it. I also provided a listening empathetic ear for those who wanted to share
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their stories. What gifts did I learn? I learned from the volunteers that no matter what we do or
who we are we are all Gods children and should be cared for without discrimination. What else
do I need to learn to best meet the needs of this population? I think I need to learn what other
factors are keeping this population from being able to afford food for their families. Is it lack of
Reflecting
How has this service-learning activity influenced my academic life? This service-
learning activity has affected my academic life by making think more about why people have a
hard time trying to get healthy food. It has also given me an idea for my grant proposal project
Food Desert. How has this service experience affected my personal life? It has made me want to
volunteer more in my community to help those who I can relate to. I would like to give back to
those who helped me and my family. Has this experience changed my ideas of or approach to
interacting with people? I am not sure if it has changed how I will interact with others. I treated
everyone at the food closet how I would treat my patient with dignity and respect. I do know that
I will keep an open mind when interacting with others. I know that I should not judge others
because of their circumstances. This service-learning activity has made me appreciate others who
donate their time to make sure other have food to eat no matter what their race, ethnic, religious,
sexual background or socioeconomic status is. These volunteers never passed judgment of
others. I feel that I interacted with this population in the same manner and will continue to do so.