Fighting Hunger Through New Media
We asked Revolution Hunger’s Jessie Chen to reflect about the greatest hits of her months as a New Media Producer with Revolution Hunger. Here’s what she had to say:
Fighting Hunger with Memes
My favorite blog posts that I have done have been images. I have noticed that they receive much more recognition from viewers, while at the same time they are very quick to make. Also, in particular, I really enjoy my Gandhi posts.
Jessie Chen is the San Francisco New Media Producer for the Revolution Hunger Campaign. Jessie prides herself in working with great organizations such as buildOn, Youth Steering Committee, and the ACLU.
Hunger Fighter Interview: Megan Emme
New Media Producer Jessie Chen interviewed Revolution Hunger’s own Megan Emme about here incredible work fighting hunger. Check it out—this is what RevHunger is all about!
Listen to what Megan Emme has to say about hunger in her community and how she is tackling the issue first hand and attracting youth around her to do the same!
Fighting Hunger at the Crop Walk in San Francisco
What is hunger to you? I will tell you, hunger is not only in third world countries — Africa, as some may say. Hunger Hits Home, right there in your community. People have to decide which bill they are not paying in order for them to buy food. But, you can make a difference by spreading the word, donating money, volunteering at a local food bank, raising funds to support those struggling in your community! Become an official ‘Hunger Fighter’ with the Revolution Hunger campaign! We are a group of teens tackling hunger in our communities which is making a global impact — we aspire to decrease the amount of hungry folks!
Serving More Than Food
By Lia Musumeci, member of the Revolution Hunger Outreach Team in San Francisco
In San Francisco one in five adults lacks the resources to provide food for themselves or their families. In the Tenderloin neighborhood, the location of St. Anthony’s soup kitchen, that number is as high as one in two. I learned this fact, among others, on my first day volunteering as a lunch time meal server. I was surprised to learn that St. Anthony’s community meal program serves almost a million meals a year but more surprised to learn the composition of the community that lines up for these warm, nutritious meals. The line that filed past me on that first day included not only the homeless, but seniors and veterans who were unable to find the funds to feed themselves after paying the skyrocketing costs of health care and rent in the bay area. Another eye opener for me was the number of families that gathered in the cafeteria. In conversation with one of these family groups, I discovered that, even though they were working multiple jobs, they found it impossible to stretch their dollars far enough to feed their children.
However, St. Anthony’s serves more than food. It is a community gathering spot. While partaking of the meal, members of the community gather in small groups to socialize and exchange information. While the warm food provides the necessary nutrition for survival, the community provides the equally important emotional support. In addition to socializing, the gathering is an important source of networking. Vital information such as job openings, housing options and the availability of other community support programs ranging from health care to educational opportunities is generously shared. Smiles were contagious as the members enjoyed each other in this nonjudgmental and mutually respectful atmosphere.
At the end of the meal, while gathering the trays, I was greeted by many signs of appreciation. A simple thank you, a smile, a pat on the back, were unexpected and heartwarming. I felt privileged to be a part of the St. Anthony community that day and experience first hand some of the faces of hunger in San Francisco.
Growing Solutions To Hunger in San Francisco
By Sophie Solomon, member of the Revolution Hunger Outreach Team in San Francisco
Last January, I started volunteering at The Free Farm, a community garden in San Francisco. Each Saturday I would help harvest produce grown on-site at the Free Farm and then work at the Farm Stand, where we would give out the produce to members of the surrounding community. The people who stopped by the farm came from all different backgrounds. There was the Italian woman living next door with her ninety year old mother, and the man who stopped by and shared his latest trial-and-error gardening stories.
There were also the people who looked like they were in desperate need of food. And while it was obvious that these people were hungry, I couldn’t make a judgement as to whether the other people who seemed to be okay needed food. I learned at The Free Farm that no matter how well-off a person may seem, we never know their true situations. It isn’t right to make a judgment about someone’s need based on a rash assumption. After all, 197,000 people in San Francisco live at or below the poverty line, more than one-seventh of all San Francisco citizens.
From my experience with The Free Farm I learned about Urban Sprouts’ Summer Sprouts Summer Camp Program at Garden for the Environment, another garden in San Francisco. It was in this program that I learned more about food deserts, areas where healthy, affordable food is hard to find. The Hunters Point/Bayview Area in San Francisco is a food desert, there are no local grocery stores where residents have easy, affordable access to healthy food.
With both my work at The Free Farm and Urban Sprouts I have learned a lot about the issue of hunger in San Francisco. Before these experiences I had no idea how huge of an issue it was and after going through them I realized that I wanted to do my part to help fight hunger. Through working with Revolution Hunger I hope to be able to share the knowledge I learned through my experiences with other teens in San Francisco and hopefully inspire them to help in the fight against hunger!
Fighting Hunger at the Multifaith CROP Hunger Walk
Here is a great video about the issues of malaria and hunger from our friends at CROP Walk:
And here is a video they did about the upcoming CROP Walk in San Francisco!
Teens—Intern With Revolution Hunger’s Outreach Team!
Hunger Fighters in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Minneapolis/St. Paul—it’s time to join Revolution Hunger. We have openings for teen interns in each of those three cities. Read below for more information, and get in touch if you want to join the Revolution Hunger Outreach Team!
Read on to see the full description. We can’t wait to see your application!
Internship Description: Revolution Hunger Outreach Team, Revolution Hunger Campaign
Position Start: Rolling Basis
Locations: Minneapolis/St.Paul, Washington DC, San Francisco/Bay Area
Status: Quarter-Time Paid Internship
Position ends on May 30th, 2012
Who We Are
Revolution Hunger is a campaign that harnesses the power of teens to make a lifelong commitment to take on the problems of hunger and malnutrition around the world. We know that we can each help fight hunger, in our own unique way. Our goal is to drive teens to RevolutionHunger.org to learn how they can “Live it, Face It and Fight It” in order to become a Hunger Fighter! Revolution Hunger was developed by The Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition® in order to inspire the next generation to fight hunger and malnutrition around the world. For more information, please visit revolutionhunger.org.
We are currently looking to hire a team of 2-3 youth per city to become our street teams in three of our pilot cities.
About the Position
Revolution Hunger is looking for a passionate, web-savvy, and outgoing Teen Outreach members between the ages of 13-18 to join the Revolution Hunger Outreach Team. This individual will want to gain more skills in social media marketing, community outreach, organizing, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate is also passionate about working with peers to build a movement to fight hunger both locally and globally. We want a smart, fun-loving teens who can bring the movement to life through raising awareness of the campaign and building an online network of supporters. This is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain experience in a fun internship where you are an important part of our team.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis in all three cities until the positions (2-3) are filled.
Responsibilities
● Must be able to commit to 20 hrs/month for the duration of the project.
● Bring forth ideas on how to access a diverse base of teen leaders, service-oriented individuals, community organizations and high schools students online
● Helping to build a teen community and promoting the Revolution Hunger initiative, which includes:
○ Attending at least 2-3 fun teen events wearing your Rev Hunger T-Shirt and talking about the program
○ Speaking at your school about Revolution Hunger with your Regional Coordinator or
giving 2-3 presentations to high schools in your area
○ Work with your Regional Coordinator to develop a potential Revolution Hunger club at
your school
○ Taking photos or video of your outreach activities with your team!
○ Flyering and postering about RH in highly trafficked teen areas
○ Using facebook, twitter and tumblr to distribute interesting information about hunger to your peers
● Participate in twice a month team meetings and/or phone calls
Qualifications & Requirements
● Between the ages of 13-18 years old
● Interest and passion in solving hunger issues and promoting youth activism
● Outgoing, social, and a positive attitude toward life- you are a social organizer!
● Good written and verbal communication, don’t forget a sense of humor
● Accountability to yourself and your team
● Photography and video production skills a plus
● A love for social networking and building online communities
● Regular access to the Internet, computer, and a phone
Compensation
● A monthly stipend of $100 and a small travel budget
● One expenses paid conference opportunity in your city to promote Revolution Hunger!
● Revolution Hunger gear, and support from your local Regional Coordinator and the National Team
● A written letter of recommendation for future school or employment opportunities pending participation
How to Apply
Email your resume and answer the following question in a short cover letter that gives us a sense of who you are (~ 250 words) that answers the below questions. Send to lauren AT revolutionhunger.org Whatever you do, remember to let your playful digital creativity shine! Written or Video submissions are acceptable. Get creative.
1. Name
2. School
3. Age
4. Contact Information
5. What connections, groups or organizations are you a part of?
6. Why do you care about this issue of hunger? How are teens important to fighting it?
7. What makes you the next best Revolution Hunger Outreach Team Member?
