Cornucopia Care Baskets

2009-12-17T19:27:00.001-08:00

My Experience with the Cornucopia Care Basket Drive.

As a part of the Community Leadership program, I deeply involved in the Cornucopia Food basket drive. During the project I felt that I was powerful, calling and emailing all of those people. It was all extremely rewarding because as a result of my perseverance and my work families who normally could not enjoy a thanksgiving. Looking back on the Cornucopia project I learned that I really can make a difference in the community. It still astonishes me that due to my efforts people were able to eat a real meal on thanksgiving. I now have more confidence in myself and I know that I can makes things happen and bring people together to accomplish this. I can and I am a leader in my community. One of the most amazing experiences was when I volunteered on the 23^rd and 24^th, witnessing so many people take time out of their busy schedules to help out their fellow community members. Even though some people were volunteering to fulfill requirements, they still enjoyed what they were doing because they were making a difference in their community. Dropping off and watching people retrieve their baskets was heartwarming, the assurance and security that they would have a real meal for thanksgiving was so rewarding to see.

-ALK

Essay on Community Service

2009-11-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

Howard Zinn states, “To play, to act, is to create at least a possibility of changing the world” (Loeb, p. 64). In my opinion, this quote defines community service. Community service is the act of making a positive change within a group, city, or the world in an altruistic manner. To assist in my understanding of community service, I intend to explore three articles that demonstrate different values of community service.
In the article “The Optimism of Uncertainty”, Howard Zinn states, “See engagement as an ongoing struggle, with victories and defeats, but in the long run slow progress. So you need patience and persistence” (Loeb, p. 64). In this article, Zinn emphasizes the importance of having hope and values, even in a seemingly cruel world. He also advises the reader to embrace strength and perseverance when carrying out a mission, especially at times when people feel powerless and beaten down by authority. In my opinion, community service begins with a vision for change, whether in a small group, community or the world. The need for change arises from a problem; therefore we are always going to run into obstacles. It is with determination, perseverance, and hope that we will overcome the obstacles and achieve success within our mission. In my own experience with the Cornucopia Care Baskets Project, I have found it challenging to receive a response from several hall directors. With the support of my group, we have decided to stay persistent by contacting the hall directors through phone calls, e-mails, hall meetings, and even personal visits. If one is determined to stay focused on the goals of a mission, then success is attainable. In addition, Zinn proclaims, “We don’t have to engage in grand heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world” (Loeb, p.71). I agree with Zinn, that every action, however small, has a consequence. If our actions are positive, then they will have a positive effect. If we perform many small positive acts, then a magnificent world change is possible.
In comparison to Zinn’s idea of perseverance and strength, Nelson Mandela is an idealistic representation of these values. Nelson Mandela survived many years in prison during the apartheid in South Africa. His eternal strength, hope and courage supported his resistance to the brutal authorities. “But the authorities greatest mistake was keeping us together, for together our determination was reinforced. We supported each other and gained strength from each other. Whatever we knew, whatever we learned, we shared, and by sharing we multiplied whatever courage we had individually” (Loeb, p.73). This quote emphasizes the importance of people working together and having strength within a group. There are many ways to perform community service, but more can be accomplished when people work together. Not only does the number of people bring power to the group, but also more importantly each individual has certain traits or skills that they offer to the group. When morale is low, it is important for the group to reorganize, refocus on the goals at hand, and rebuild their strength. This is precisely how Nelson Mandela and his fellow inmates worked together to survive in prison. “There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lay defeat and death”, stated Nelson Mandela (Loeb, p.74).
Mandela offers a second piece of advice that I find important to community service. He states, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”(Loeb, p.81). Service, of any kind, requires respect for an individual. Rachel Remen also suggests this concept of respect in the article “Helping, Fixing, or Serving”. When we serve, we view people as our equals, and this in turn gives us a sense of gratitude. More people will be willing to participate in a project if you have respect for them. In my opinion, respect sparks motivation and cooperation within a group. In addition, the people you are serving will be grateful for your work, and they may possibly be inspired to serve others as well.
Respect for an individual derives from an understanding for that person. In “30 Methods of Influence” Stephen Covey claims that influencing people includes three categories: model by example, build caring relationships, and mentor by instruction. The category that I find to be most important in regards to community service is building caring relationships. This category includes performing service through love, preparing your mind and heart before talking to someone, and seeking to understand a person before being personally understood. I find this category to be most important because community service always involves emotions.
In regards to the Leadership Compass, I identity with the south, which entails an empathetic approach to leadership. This work style includes understanding how people need to receive information in order to act, integrating others input in determining the direction of what is happening, being supportive to colleagues, and being receptive to others’ ideas. This approach is feeling based and people that identify with this work style tend to trust their own emotions and intuition. I find a comparison between the “southern” empathetic approach to leadership, and the article by Steven Covey. Both argue that community service involves emotions and feeling. The best way to influence a person, or accomplish a mission, is to have an understanding for an individual, get to know people on a personal level, and recognize what people need.
In conclusion, the articles I have explored seem to share some common themes. They each made reference to the importance of perseverance and determination within a mission, having strength and hope, and lastly, that community service involves emotions. Personally, I believe our purpose in this world is to help one another. One of the biggest ways we can do this is through community service. Not only is the service provided important in itself, but also the influence we have on others is important and can motivate other people to act. Even if our actions are small, they do get noticed and have an impact on someone. Our positive actions can lead to a chain reaction, and therefore result in changing the world.

Works Cited
Remen, Rachel Naomi. “Helping, Fixing, or Serving?”. Kitchen Table Wisdom. September 1999.
Loeb, Paul R. The Impossible Will Take A Little While. Basic Books. New York, NY, 2004.

University Advancement Center's Colorful Turkeys Inspire Giving

2009-11-15T16:31:00.001-08:00

Once again this year the staff of the University Advancement Center, with the help of their colorful bulletin-board turkeys, is collecting food baskets for the Cornucopia Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Last year the University Advancement Center created construction paper turkeys with tailfeathers that had food items listed on them; staff members then plucked the feathers and brought in the item listed. The response was wonderful, and by the time the last feather was plucked they had collected enough food for 7 baskets.

This year they have set their goals even higher. With the help of their four new turkeys--named Teddy, Tina, Tanya, and Tyler--they hope to collect 10 baskets worth of food. They have even sacrificed their holiday party so that the money they would have spent can go towards the food drive, and can help insure that others in the community will be able to enjoy a warm, nutritious Thanksgiving meal.

The Community Leadership Program at the Thompson School would like to highlight the great work being done for the food drive by Lori Parent, Katie Umans, Patricia Turner, Sandy Cooney, and the administrative staff at the University Advancement Center. The Thompson school students were so impressed with the turkey idea that they have constructed their own on a bulletin board in the hallway between Barton and Cole Halls. They encourage their fellow students to visit the turkey, pluck a feather, and give back to the community.

The University Advancement Center hopes that their turkey idea will spread around the campus and inspire others to donate to the food drive. Keep your eyes open for a turkey near you. They can currently be found at the Elliot Alumni Center, the New England Center, the Academic Affairs Office at Thompson Hall, and between Cole and Barton Halls at the Thompson School of Applied Science.

With the current economic downturn, the need for Cornucopia Food Pantry baskets is even greater this year. The food pantry plans to distribute 160 baskets to members of the UNH community this Thanksgiving.

To find out how you can help, contact Lisa Ciccotelli at the Office of Community Service and Learning at 862-0079 or lisa.ciccotelli@unh.edu.

For information on the Cornucopia Food Pantry, go to www.cornucopia.unh.edu.

To Be of Use

2009-11-05T14:26:00.000-08:00

The work of the world is as common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher creis for water to carry.
-Marge Piercy
This paragraph is part of a poem called "To Be of Use." Section five of our TIWTALW book. Marge Piercy writes about people who work hard in their community, much like we are for our food drive. Everyone is a valued member of a group and can bring different strengths to it. The paragraph suggests that if everyone can work togther than they can come up with something great, but if a group handles things wrong it can end up just being a huge mess. Just like the hopi vases in the paragraph, everyone doing this project should be put to use and work hard. Everyone is important to this project and possesses strengths to add to it.
-MB

VIDEOS!!!

2009-11-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

This is a video I saw on TV recently during a visit home. It struck a chord with me and had a clear and emotional message. It really sheds light on the fact that show many individuals struggle with hunger.

The next video is a YouTube vid made my a UNH Student on Waysmeet and the Cornucopia Food Pantry. It is a great little video that features a story of personal experience, lot of info and quotes on hunger in the area, many interviews, and is a visual guide of how much good the pantry provides for those that use it. As quoted, to many it is a 'godsend'.

Donate Today! Every little bit helps! Whether a bag of bananas or a full basket your donation is appreciated!! Also if you can't donate but really want to help feel free to contact us about volunteering the days we collect baskets and distribute them!!

-Kristen

Rubber hits the Road

2009-11-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

It's November 2nd and the food basket project is in full swing! The fabulous Student Org. group is working hard to spread the word and get UNH's student and Greek organizations involved!

The Special Projects team "wowed" prospective students at the Thompson School Open House on Sunday with their bulletin board turkey. Numerous families and high school students brought stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and canned goods to donate. The box was full by the end of the event!

The Dorm group is also doing a great job and involving a record number of dorms in the food drive!!

There is no doubt that this Thanksgiving holiday is going to be a feast!!

~ Cathie P.