“IT CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON MANY THINGS.” | A WORD FROM JULIAN PEREZ-HERNANDEZ

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Going into this summer, everything was extremely uncertain and different, and I became worried that I wouldn’t be able to impact my community the way I had hoped. But, thankfully, I was chosen for the opportunity to work alongside Florida Impact to End Hunger as a No Kid Hungry Youth Ambassador.

Because of this unprecedented pandemic, the Summer BreakSpot enrichment practices Florida Impact to End Hunger did in past summers would not be feasible, so we all had to adapt and find a new way to work with the Broward County Libraries to spread the word about their Summer BreakSpot meal sites, which would now be served as Grab ’n’ Go.

Supplying Summer BreakSpot meals with Food ’N’ Fun activity packs ended up being our enrichment practice. We spent the beginning of the summer putting these packs together, deciding which toys and activities we thought the kids would most enjoy.

Interacting with the families who benefitted from the Summer BreakSpot program was incredible. I had the opportunity to communicate with many of them in English, Spanish, and French, which reflects how the need for healthy food is something that goes beyond just one group in our community, but rather affects all different facets of our community.

The summer I was able to spend with Florida Impact to End Hunger allowed me to learn so much about adapting and working as an effective team member. It changed my perspective on many things. The amount of need for these kinds of food distribution programs was quite an eye-opener.

I was also taken aback at the amount of people working tirelessly throughout our community to service and aid those in need however possible, and I was blessed to play a small role in that effort this summer.

– Julian Perez-Hernandez

No Kid Hungry Youth Ambassador

Summer 2020

“ONCE PEOPLE UNITE FOR A COMMON GOAL” | A WORD FROM SHIRBRINA JEFFERSON

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This summer, I served as a Hunger Free America Summer Associate. I was familiar with the layout of the Summer BreakSpot program from my previous service last summer. However, changes had to be made to accommodate the conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact from my service has impacted me personally and professionally. Our team worked through the challenges of wearing masks, heightening sanitizing protocols, and social distancing. It was incredibly humbling to meet many families and hear about how my help lifted a lot of weight off of their shoulders.

We were able to provide informational flyers, weekly meals, and activity packs every Friday, which was my favorite part of the summer term.

It was also great getting the chance to see the administrative side of non-profit organizations in addition to the direct service approach with the partnership with FLIPANY.

One stand-out lesson from this summer was that the pandemic made the vulnerabilities these communities face more visible to the public eye. It is not so much that these challenges were new, but just hidden under other contemporary issues.

Yet, I was reminded of how positivity can arise even in tragedy once people unite for a common goal. It was super encouraging when families would spread the word to their community, and more people would arrive at the Friday meal service. This meant that more people were able to gain access to these resources and creating a positive domino effect.

I believe this impact will continue to encourage neighboring families to be engaged with one another, more than they were in the past.

The presence of community and relationships shined bright this summer. I am appreciative for the opportunity to work for Florida Impact to End Hunger. I am excited for what is to come for the organization, since it has shown that COVID-19 will not get in the way of their reach in the community.

– Shirbrina Jefferson

Hunger Free America Summer Associate

“SMALL ACTIONS CAN HAVE VERY POWERFUL EFFECTS” | A WORD FROM MARIANA VISO

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Mariana Viso chose to spend her summer serving the community. As part of Hunger Free America’s VISTA program, she’s helped Florida Impact to End Hunger with the Summer BreakSpot sites at libraries throughout Miami-Dade. As the summer comes to a close, we’ve asked her to share a few words about her experience…

“My work with Florida Impact to End Hunger and with VISTA has allowed me to become closer to my community. This pandemic has affected many of us, but it has disproportionately hit low-income families the hardest.

My work over the summer has allowed me to give back to my community.

While talking to the families that are receiving meals, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what others are going through and listen to all the different points of view that are found in my diverse Miami-community.

Though giving a couple of meals might not seem like much, it can actually make a big difference to a family. Small actions can have very powerful effects.”

– Mariana Viso

Hunger Free America Summer Associate