This week was very bittersweet because it is my last time working with the GUM family. Every worker and volunteer made me feel like I was a part of the family. They are all so loving and caring. I am so glad I got to experience this wonderful place. This was literally the best internship ever!
This week I have been able to use my Spanish with the Hispanic families who are new to the food pantry. New families always have to fill out an application to be added into the system for future visits. I am so glad that I am bilingual because I am able to use my skills to help out the Spanish speaking community. The families that I assisted were so thankful.
During this development session, I learned how to build my resume and how to become more comfortable with the interview process for jobs. I am now able to change the format of my resume and highlight/elaborate my experiences that jobs would like to see. My past is important, and it could lead me to my future job!
The shoppers have had mixed feelings about us giving them bags because they rather pick out their own foods, which is understandable. I like the idea how if the shoppers do not like what's in their bag, they give it to someone else in line that wants it. That way none of the food goes to waste. The shoppers warm my heart when they tell me how appreciative they are of the service that the pantry provides. I am glad that I am a part of this greatness.
This week we were preparing for the pantry to be under construction. This means we have to relocate to the front of the building instead of letting the shoppers come in and shop for their own food. The volunteers had to make bags that contained produce, bread, desserts, canned vegetables/fruits, dry bags and meats.
My supervisors were very busy this week with all the new shipments of food coming in and out of the pantry. They had to put me in charge of the pantry so they could get a lot more work done. I was a little nervous at first, but then I realized they trust and depend on me, so I did not want to let them down. I handled it very well and professionally. Being in charge comes with a lot of duties and responsibilities but I was able to manage them all.
Today's work shift was very refreshing. The entire pantry was shut down for cleaning. We cleaned the pantry from top to bottom. This included reorganizing the food, wiping down the refrigerators, disinfecting the shelves, sweeping the floors and simply just making the pantry more sanitary for the shoppers. I enjoyed being a part of the cleanup.
The food pantry director allowed me to sit in on the meeting with her and the nutrition educator to talk about the new health implementation plan for the pantry. I was able to learn the different ways on how to better the pantry physically and nutritionally. The director made me in charge of reorganizing the pantry to my liking to help educate the shoppers on how to eat healthier foods. I cannot wait to see the end results!
This session I learned about the StrengthFinder assessment and how it helps me to thrive academically, socially, and in my future career. My top five strengths are restorative, consistency, positivity, relator and developer. I was happy with my results because I truly see myself in each of these categories and how I apply them in my internship. I also learned the four domains of strength which are executing, influencing, relationship building and strategic thinking. I fall under the executing and relationship building categories.
The volunteers that I have met through this non-profit organization are amazing. Everyone truly has a passion for community service. The majority are elders, and I am able to learn a lot from them. They provide me with so many life lessons that will help me advance in the professional world. I am so thankful to be surrounded by people who share the same passion as me.
