Guest post by AmeriCorp Member Carly Michelakis
Hello! My name is Carly and I am an AmeriCorps Food Distribution Associate serving at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. Thanks to a partnership between the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the NC Commission on Volunteerism, my position was created in response to the coronavirus pandemic to assist the Food Shuttle with getting food into the hands of individuals and families that need it. I will be serving as an AmeriCorps member for six months, performing direct service to benefit communities in the Triangle area. Since arriving at the Food Shuttle in June, I have had the opportunity to assist with a variety of programs alongside an energetic team of interns and staff.
I work most directly with the Community Health Education department at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle assisting with Summer Feeding, Grocery Bags for Seniors, and Cooking Matter classes. During my first two months of service, I have assisted with packing over 2,000 grocery bags for our Senior Nutrition Program and have been on a few trips to deliver groceries to seniors' doorsteps. During my first five weeks, I assisted in feeding over 150 kids each weekday through our Summer Feeding program. I have also supported the Community Health Education department in preparing Cooking Matters videos and virtual classes to educate local and virtual communities about how to involve children in the cooking process and how to modify nutritious recipes for different seasons, tastes, and budgets.
In addition to my involvement with Community Health Education, I have also had the opportunity to work on the Food-Shuttle Farm to help with farm maintenance and harvesting produce for our community. I love being able to experience many different aspects of our organization and the variety of ways in which we feed, teach, and grow in central North Carolina.
What I have loved most about working with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is the staff, who were instantly welcoming and supportive. With an organization that has many projects and various moving parts, it is inspiring to see everyone working together towards our mission.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time thus far at the Food Shuttle, working alongside a passionate and collaborative team committed to ending food insecurity in our community. I am grateful for the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and the NC Commission on Volunteerism for granting me this opportunity, and I am proud to serve my community as an AmeriCorps member.