Food For Thought

1
Food For Thought

• Raphaela Kramer, Reilly McDonnell, Nicole
  OConnell, Carson Smith, Zoë Van Nostrand
• SJSP 101 - Community Based Research Intro to the
  Scholarship of Engagement

Abstract
Method Community Based Research
Key Findings
Our course, SJSP 101 Community Based Research
Intro to the Scholarship of Engagement was
approached by an organizer of the Community Lunch
Program in Geneva New York. The Community Lunch
Program (CLP) is a free food service, funded
through Catholic Charities, that provides a hot
meal every business day of the year. In the last
few years attendance has decreased, despite
higher levels of economic insecurity nationally,
and in the local region. Hobart and William Smith
Colleges has an ongoing relationship with CLP,
with HWS students volunteering in the kitchen
every day of the school year. Our course was
approached with a different idea. We were asked
to come in and interact with the attendees of the
program, to try and learn why fewer people were
coming. Each week, five students from the course,
sat and ate lunch with different individuals or
families attending the program to hear their
views on why fewer people were attending. We made
a point to sit at a different table each week to
hear more perspectives. We did not reach a
definitive conclusion for why attendance had
dropped, however, in listening to the program
participants we developed a list of
recommendations for how CLP could improve
attendance and programming in the future.
Research Question Why has attendance at the
Community Lunch Program in Geneva dropped in the
last few years?

• Transportation
• No bus stops near the lunch program
• Commute to CLP is longer than the duration of the
  program
• Not many attendees have cars
• Food Quality
• Multiple attendees noted that the food had
  improved recently.
• Several people had dietary restraints and were
  unable to eat some of the food provided by the
  program.
• One man said that the reason people didnt come
  now is because there are certain prep-kitchen
  groups that skimp on serving size compared to
  other local food programs.
• Food served and prepared depends on the group of
  volunteers.
• Attendees are encouraged to get seconds and
  thirds if they are still hungry.
• Negative Social Stigma
• People dont want to admit they need the services
  of the program because that can mean admitting
  they need help.
•  
• Atmosphere
• Time frame of the program makes it feel rushed
• Attendees love the decorations for holidays.
• Attendees appreciate the free bread, and
  childrens books offered.

Community based research is a progressive
inclusionary process that focuses on the
community as a whole rather than as individuals.
This interdisciplinary approach works directly
with the community to solve local political or
social justice issues. Community based research
has been considered more effective than
traditional lab and scientific research when
solving social and socioeconomic issues because
of its grassroots approach.
Recommendations for Community Lunch Program

• Invite community leaders, and HWS students to
  come to lunch with no agenda just to interact
  with other attendees.
• Longer Eating Window Expand time so it is more
  accessible to peoples schedules
• Improve transportation services to program.
• Put a suggestion/feedback box clearly visible so
  attendees can leave remarks.
• Include a section of free books for adults, not
  just childrens books
• Have local job listings advertised
• Provide information about food stamps, other
  local resources for food insecurity
• Survey people on food choices
• Provide entertainment/music throughout program
• Have toiletries for attendees to take home (this
  program used to be in place, but no longer)
• Include food that is consumable by almost
  everyone and doesnt exclude common dietary
  problems.
• Increasing the length of the lunchtime might
  encourage more people to attend the program.  
• Volunteers could work more shifts or some
  volunteers could increase the length of their
  shift.
• Better regulate distribution of free resources
  (e.g. bread, granola etc.)
• Communicate with the local newspaper so they can
  post an advertisement for the program.
• Improve advertising around town, and in front of
  church to encourage more people to come.

Starting Facts

• Geneva Community Lunch Program (CLP) cooks and
  serves a free, hot meal once a day, Mon-Fri,
  every week of the year.
• The program takes place at the First United
  Methodist Church of Geneva.
• CLP is funded through Catholic Charities of the
  Finger Lakes.
• CLP recently went through a change in leadership.
• Attendance dropped 13 in 2012.
• The program has more funds and food available
  than the number it is serving
• CLP does not discriminate in who it serves,
  anyone is welcome to come eat.

Acknowledgements
A special thanks to the work of Geneva Community
Lunch Program, Catholic Charities, Stu Einstein,
Laurie Konwinski, Spencer Tulis, and Professor
Donna Davenport for supporting this program and
actively working to improve it.