Early this summer I had the pleasure to spend five weeks at Crooked Creek Food Pantry
in Indianapolis, IN. Upon arrival for my first day, I was immediately welcomed by smiling faces and volunteers hard at work. This created an atmosphere that made me feel invited and useful.
Throughout my time at CCFP, I was able to see firsthand the impact this organization was
making on its community. Whether I spent the day organizing shelves, moving pallets, or even sorting potatoes, each day came with something eventful and worthwhile. This internship taught me how to work efficiently, effectively, and understand the importance of a determined team. With an internship so meaningful, it is hard to pinpoint just one moment that stands out from this summer. However, my favorite moments came when I was registering people in line to receive food from the pantry. The amount of gratitude the clients expressed was unmatched to anything I had ever witnessed before. Many customers prayed for me, as well as repeatedly praised me and thanked me. Though I wasn’t directly handing them the food, they were just overjoyed to confirm that they would be receiving food on that day.
Through this internship, my desire to serve communities regarding health was reaffirmed time and time again. I felt deep tenderness connecting with the families we served, hearing their stories, and what brought them to the pantry on that given day. Crooked Creek also allowed me to foster connections with other volunteers, some who are past alumni of Wabash, which created pathways for an expanded personal network. Additionally, I was able to live out one of my “Clifton Strengths,” empathy. As I spent many days listening to the lives of others, I was able to progress my understanding of what it means to be an empathetic person.
I would like to thank Jill Rogers, the head of Wabash’s GHI, for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. I am also deeply grateful for Kathy Hann Keiner, Zachary Fawbush, and Stephanie Santos for their guidance and support throughout my time spent at Crooked Creek Food Pantry. Finally, I thank all volunteers at CCFP, who made this summer such a meaningful and enjoyable experience.
