1. Food For Thought Raphaela Kramer, Reilly McDonnell, Nicole O’Connell, Carson Smith, Zoë Van Nostrand SJSP 101 - Community Based Research: Intro to the Scholarship of Engagement Abstract 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? 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. Method: Community Based Research 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. Key Findings 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 didn’t 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 don’t 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 children’s books offered. The social aspect of the lunch program is poor and there isn’t much time for interaction between community members. There is little to no interaction between the volunteers making the food and the people attending the program. Eating Window/Socialization Time: Lunch is being provided during working hours which makes it difficult for those who hold jobs to make it to the program during the short eating time allowed. People don’t stay for long and this makes it more difficult for social interaction between attendees. 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 people’s 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 children’s 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 doesn’t 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. 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.