This summer I interned at Crooked Creek Food Pantry located within Eskenazi Health Center Pecar. We served the families of Indiana struggling with food insecurity. The pantry operated
two different ways: restocking which was on Mondays and Tuesdays, or distribution on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On distribution days recipients waited in line within their cars and as they reached the front of the pantry line they would be served food similar to a drive through. We were also able to care for those without a car. The pantry served around 300-450 families per day. I was lucky enough to be a part of the new pantry record which reached the 500s!
Times when I wasn’t in the pantry was spent with Doctor Nace inside the clinic. I got to shadow her, which allowed me to meet many different people going through their own battles and life struggles. Other times she would share academic articles with me which related back to the clinic and their goal of welcoming and accepting all patients no matter the circumstances. I one day too hope to help people like how Doctor Nace and the food pantry does as it is my goal to be accepted into medical school. This internship has done nothing except help this goal become more of a reality. I was also tasked with helping roll out a new system for the volunteers which would make it easier for them to sign up for volunteer opportunities, track their service hours, and check in once they arrived at the pantry for the day. At the start of my internship, I got to join in a meeting with Corteva Agriscience, one of Crooked Creeks sponsors, and learn about how they will use the new system for their employees’ paid days of volunteer work. This meeting resulted in a tour of Corteva’s facilities where they specialize in seed and crop protection for farmers. It was fascinating to see all the components that go into the shielding of the foods that end up on our dinner tables.
Now I would like to thank Kathy Keiner and Zach Fawbush for the opportunity to intern at such an impactful facility. The freedom I was given at the pantry allowed me to exercise my problem- solving skills and taught me that being flexible is an attribute that many will appreciate. Working with them and volunteers has only strengthened my relationship building ability as I have come out of this internship with new friends. This opportunity was very eye-opening to me, allowing me to see the hardships that the people of my community face and the warmth I felt while serving them is a feeling I won’t forget. What I have learned from this internship will be invaluable as I continue my career.
