Group Members: Mia Hernandez, Amiyah Jones, Ismail Salarzai, Madison Parton, LaVounna Fernandes, Karen Melara-Garcia, Ajazullhaq Azizi
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Food insecurity is a growing issue in Pierce County, leaving too many families struggling to access nutritious meals consistently. Local food banks, like the Sumner Food Bank, are helping to address this issue but often find themselves stretched thin. Overwhelming demand, a shortage of volunteers, and the challenges of staying organized due to lack of volunteers make it difficult for them to keep up. Nourish Pierce County’s (2023) annual report states the ongoing rise in food insecurity, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced support. Our group’s goal was simple but impactful: “How can our group support local food banks in Pierce County by strengthening volunteer efforts and helping operations run more smoothly?” Our answer: Step in and ease some of this burden by volunteering and improving how things run behind the scenes.
The Sumner Food Bank is under constant pressure, especially during the holidays when the need for food assistance increases. Without enough regular volunteer support, tasks like sorting, packing, and distributing food often get delayed, which creates challenges for families relying on those services. Feeding America (2022) emphasizes that consistent volunteer support is essential to maintaining food bank efficiency and meeting community needs. As a group, we saw this as an opportunity to lend a helping hand. By focusing on ways we could support their operations, we aimed to make their work a little easier so they could focus on serving the community better.
We approached the Small Wins project with a clear set of guidelines. The project needed to:
After putting our heads together, we decided to focus our efforts on Volunteer Assistance and Administrative Tasks. These were the areas where the food bank needed the most help, especially with the holiday rush. According to the Sumner Food Bank’s (2023) website, the organization heavily relies on community support to meet its goals, making volunteer efforts and operational assistance crucial. Our group stepped up to handle sorting and packing donations to get them ready for families, organizing inventory to keep things running, and jumping in to support the staff wherever they needed extra hands. We made sure everyone in the group had a role to play, and by working together, we were able to tackle the food bank’s biggest challenges in a way that made a difference, all within our four-week timeline.
We chose Volunteer Assistance and Administrative Tasks because they allowed us to tackle the food bank’s immediate challenges. Helping with sorting, packing, and distribution meant families could get their food faster and without delays. On top of that, organizing the inventory helped ensure donations were managed accordingly, reducing waste and confusion. Feeding America (2022) highlights how efficient volunteer efforts can significantly improve food banks’ ability to serve their communities. This hands-on approach was the most practical way for us to make a lasting impact.
Over four weeks, especially during the busy period leading up to Thanksgiving, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. The Sumner Food Bank received a massive influx of donations, thousands of pounds of food from Costco, Amazon, a local baseball team, and residents of the community. Nourish Pierce County’s (2023) report notes that donations tend to surge during the holidays, creating both opportunities and logistical challenges for food banks. Every group member took on specific tasks, from sorting and packaging to organizing inventory and helping with distribution. This teamwork allowed us to keep the food bank running steadily during one of their busiest times. We also worked closely with the staff to prioritize tasks and ensure that no family had to wait longer than necessary for their food. By the end of the project, our collective efforts had helped the food bank meet the increased demand with greater productivity and less stress.
The Small Wins project turned out to be exactly that, a meaningful “win” for both the Sumner Food Bank and our group. For the food bank, it meant improved workflow and smoother operations during a challenging time. For us, it was a chance to grow as a team and practice important skills like communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. Using the Standard Agenda decision-making process kept us focused and helped us accomplish a well-organized plan.
This project reminded us that even small, focused actions can make a big difference. By showing up for the Sumner Food Bank and lending our support, we were able to play a part in addressing food insecurity while also learning the value of teamwork and shared purpose. It was a humbling and rewarding experience that left us all feeling a little more connected—to each other, to our community, and to the idea that small wins can lead to big change.
Feeding America. (2022). The impact of volunteerism on food bank operations. https://www.feedingamerica.org
Nourish Pierce County. (2023). Annual report: Food insecurity in Pierce County. https://www.nourishpc.org
Sumner Food Bank. (2023). About us. https://www.sumnerfoodbank.org