Community Food Bank Outreach with the Senior Center

Nicole Bourdon
Kathryn Reed

Community needs, such as access to food and basic toiletry items, are often overlooked due to society's inability to acknowledge the bigger necessity of individuals within specific areas. To understand the need, Senior Citizens within the community became the driving force behind the unity of two non-profit organizations. In collaboration with the Ashland Emergency Food Bank and the Ashland Senior Center, we contacted the food bank for necessary materials to take to the senior center for a one day event. We laid out the materials for easy access and distribution while including bags and flyers that addressed nutritional concerns for those who wanted more information based on previously surveyed needs and wants. In doing this event, seniors were able to receive food and toiletries that they might otherwise have to go without. By doing this project there was a deeper understanding and acknowledgement of the needs within the community. Needs have no boundaries nor discrimination within any community and all needs need to be met in order to have a productive and positive community base. Understanding the resources that are available is just the first step in creating a more informed group of individuals that are more embracing of others' deficiencies.