Niki Huffman Ferris State University 11/29/2015

Introduction and Purpose Service learning… * A form of study involving volunteer work. * Enhances one’s professional learning. * Allows for the exploration of possible issues within a community. * Utilizes critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. Ferris State University’s Professional Nursing Program believes serving learning… “enhances learning in all areas of the nursing program, and the experience of service learning reinforces the moral and civic values inherent in serving others” (National Service Learning Clearinghouse, 2012). (Ferris State University, 2015).

Agency Description KFB is the largest organization in West Michigan dedicated to reducing childhood hunger. Does not receive government funding; Funded through local businesses, foundations, organizations, and individuals. Sack suppers are delivered to 38 sites and serve nearly 7,000 children per day. Each sack contains a sandwich, fruit, vegetable, and two healthy snacks. 40% of the food comes from the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. 30% comes from local food vendors and grocery stores. 30% comes from food drives and individual donations. (Kids Food Basket, 2015 ). Kids’ Food Basket (KFB)

Why is this agency so important? One out of every five children in West Michigan experience hunger on a daily basis. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition are more apt to have growth and development issues. Poor nutrition can cause decreased growth, decreased energy, and a decline in intellectual performance. KFB provides a nutritional evening meal to select children living in poverty in hopes of reducing childhood hunger. (Kids Food Basket, 2015). (Feeding America West Michigan, 2015).

Volunteer Role Make sandwiches or wraps; peanut butter, lunchmeat, cheese, etc. Form an assembly line and place the five assigned items into individual lunch bags. Prep snack food into ziploc bags such as crackers, pretzels, cheerios, raisins, grapes, etc. Pick up the sack lunches and deliver them to the schools. Purchase and decorate paper lunch bags for sack suppers. Host food drives or assist with marketing and administration. (Kids Food Basket, 2015).

Critical Reflection It was important for me to select an agency that relates to my area of practice, which is pediatrics. KFB deals with childhood hunger, and good nutrition is important for a child’s physical and mental well-being. KFB plays a large role in reducing childhood hunger within my community and throughout West Michigan. KFB was a very welcoming and appreciative environment with a lot of great volunteers. I would highly recommend anyone to volunteer their free time to benefit the children within their community. I am still volunteering my time at KFB and plan to throughout the future.

References Feeding America West Michigan. (2015). Hunger rate rises in West Michigan, Upper Peninsula according to new report. feedingamericawestmichigan.org/2015/04/hunger-rate-rises-in-west- michigan-upper-peninsula-according-to-new-report/ Ferris State University. (2015). Service learning requirement for the RN to BSN completion program. Retrieved from bbcswebdav/pid dt-content-rid _1/xid _1 Kids Food Basket. (2015). Our purpose. purpose/why-were-here#sthash.wEc2fFzR.dpuf National Service Learning Clearinghouse. (2012). What is service learning? Retrieved from learning.org/what-service-learning