Step 1: Read these two sample Exploratory Essays:document PDF Step 2: Answer the following questions for both sample essays: What are the essays' thesis or research questions?What are the essays' stre
Brooks 1 Kaitlyn Brooks Professor Pang English 102 26 April 2021 Addressing Food Insecurity in Pierce County As a recurring volunteer at the Families Unlimited Network food bank in University Place, I am a firsthand witness to the struggles that my community faces when plagued with the burden of food insecurity . Those who are desperate for food lack proper nourishment and access to food, often resorting to unhealthy habits to survive. According to statistics released by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, “Nearly twenty percent (18.3%) of families in Tacoma’ s school district reported being food insecure with nearly sixty percent (59.1%) of T acoma students receiving free or reduced lunch programs” (Choi 15). However , as the issue gains more recognition, many organizations have risen to the challenge to address the community-wide desperation for hunger . An obligation to confront the food insecurity concern has stemmed into several organizations pitching in to provide the public with fresh, nutritious food. A dire requirement to nourish those who are food insecure is no new issue, but now is the time as much as ever to propose a long-term solution. Due to my experience in volunteering with a food bank, I often wonder what other organizations are doing to address food insecurity . To of ficially conduct this essay , my general research question is as follows: Besides the organizations I already know , what is Pierce County doing to address the prominent and threatening issue that is hunger desperation? How have Brooks 2 other entities sought to help bridge the gap between those with plenty of food and those with none? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity is defined as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, health life,” where those suf fering from food insecurity lack the resources available to meet their basic dietary needs (“What is Food Insecurity?”). This can often lead to and/or be associated with inadequate physical health, malnutrition, and a substandard mental health. Considering the plethora of factors that contribute to food insecurity , the first step is finding organizations that address the issue. Luckily , Nourish Pierce County provides sustainable food for the community and those who struggle to put food on the table each night. Nourish aims to ensure that no one goes hungry , even during the ongoing pandemic. This nonprofit organization typically operates on a “self-select” model where clients venture through designated lines with a volunteer helping them make healthy food choices. However , due to COVID-19, Nourish Pierce County “has changed to a pre-boxed distribution model to safeguard the health of [the] community ” (“COVID-19 Response: How You Can Help”). Currently , Nourish operates out of 23 dif ferent food banks across Pierce County , giving the hungry a vast selection to go to. As someone who is dedicated to finding organizations that have successfully addressed food insecurity , my research has led to the discovery that Nourish Pierce County has managed to “provide enough food for three meals a day for three days for each household member to anyone who visits [their] food banks” (“COVID-19 Response: How You Can Help”). Nourish Pierce County’ s method of distributing food successfully Brooks 3 provides accessible food to those in need. This organization provided a solid foundation for the rest of my research to come, and it was fascinating to learn this information. Furthermore, through Pierce County’ s official website, there are dif ferent options for those suf fering from food insecurity: meal sites. With the looming threat of COVID-19, meal sites that have adjusted to take-out meals rather than dine-in options. The purpose of these meal sites is to go above and beyond to provide nourishing food for those who need it, as described here: “Meal sites do more than just provide a nutritious meal. Many of them of fer a variety of educational and recreational activities, services and events in addition to regularly scheduled meals” (“Pierce County Meal Sites”). These meal sites are also linked to Senior Centers, which house elderly people who cannot feed themselves. The mission of these specifically engineered meals is to “[of fer] frozen home-delivered meals for older persons who are unable to leave their home to shop or prepare nutritious meals. The meals are prepared with the special dietary needs of seniors in mind and are adaptable [ …] There are 30 entrees and five breakfast choices” (“Home Delivered Meals”). Undoubtedly , Pierce County demonstrates its capability to accept the challenge of tackling food insecurity by providing many dif ferent ways that people can access a nutritious meal. Surprisingly enough, I had no idea that these organizations existed within my county , which makes it even more interesting to discover that they exist to administer quality food with care. A remarkable story stemming from a small cornfield in Puyallup has grown into a source of food for those suf fering from food insecurity. The Gleaning Project operates here through Harvest Pierce County , “[distributing] produce to food banks while giving volunteers a chance to stock their own shelves” (Holdcroft). Gleaning itself is the Brooks 4 process of collecting leftover food after harvesting, giving a chance for volunteers and the public to gain fresh produce. While also minimizing food waste, the Gleaning Project nourishes the community and assists those with food insecurity . The food harvested is then transported to food banks near the harvesting site, with 50% of the food from fruit trees on site donated and the rest distributed to the volunteers and homeowners (“Frequently Asked Questions”). This surprised me because I had never heard of an organization that operates uniquely , curtailing the amount of wasted food while also nourishing the community . Finally , the last program for this essay dedicates itself to building an accessible food network for everyone to access: Food is Free 253. Currently , the organization is operating under 32 gardens, with over 40 planted to help combat food insecurity as well as the damaged agriculture (“Food is Free Tacoma.”). Within this organization that establishes gardens to grow healthy , nourishing foods emerges the director , David Thompson. Similar to the Gleaning Project, Food is Free operates as the backbone that supports many local food banks, as the garden began “with the intent to produce enough food for [David’ s] family and neighborhood while also supplementing local food banks” (“Food is Free Tacoma”). On the website, Thompson writes of his success with forming the inaugural garden: Before I knew it there was over 300 people interested and 27 going. There was no way I would have enough tools for all those people. The response was rather overwhelming. As the event day neared the rain began to fall. But there was going to be one dry day before the event, unfortunately that day was the day before the event. The morning of the event it was raining steadily . I figured that Brooks 5 27 people weren’t going to show up but 6 hearty souls did [...] W e worked great together and in 3 hours the garden was finished. (Thompson) Thompson’ s intent to design a garden caught the attention of many people who were interested in pitching in to address a community-wide necessity for food. Personally , it is incredible to read about the success of the first of Thompson’ s food gardens. Rather than existing as just a garden, those at Food is Free 253 encourage harmony within a community and benefit those planting and receiving food from the gardens. It was extremely pleasing to discover this information as part of my research. Undoubtedly , the pandemic has taken a toll on the lives of everyone, especially those already suf fering from food insecurity . Considering that my original inquiry was to research the dif ferent ways that entities in Pierce County are addressing this lack of dependable access to food, my findings have demonstrated that many organizations work to provide the hungry with the healthiest food possible. Nourish Pierce County , Pierce County’ s food-centered web pages, The Gleaning Project, and Food is Free 253 all illustrate the general mission of fighting against food insecurity by providing the insecure with opportunities to nourish their bodies. Additionally , my trips to the Families Unlimited Network food bank put this issue in perspective as I can witness the struggles of hungry members of Pierce County and aid them by packaging sustainable, delicious meals. Brightening the lives of those with food insecurity also brings an added joy into my own life because I know that I am making a positive impact on the lives around me. Those who lack simple access to a suf ficient amount of food should not have to suf fer the way they are, which is why this paper illustrates the fact that that many organizations dedicate themselves to providing the hungry with the meals they deserve.Brooks 6 W orks Cited Choi, Linda. “Mobile Market Readiness Assessment: Addressing Food Access in T acoma, W A.” T acoma-Pierce County Health Department , September 2016, https://www .tpchd.org/home/showdocument?id=192 “COVID-19 Response: How You Can Help!” Nourish Pierce County , Nourish Pierce County , 7 October 2020, https://nourishpc.org/covid-19-response-how-you-can-help/ “Food is Free Tacoma.” Food is Free 253, https://foodisfree253.com/#home .
Accessed 17 April 2021. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Pierce Conservation District, The Gleaning Project, https://piercecd.org/414/Frequently-Asked-Questions .
Accessed 20 April 2021. Holdcroft, Leslie. "HAR VEST OF HOPE / GLEANERS LEA VE NOTHING TO W ASTE FEEDING HUNGR Y." Morning News T ribune , Sep 18, 1993, pp. B1 . ProQuest , https://search-proquest-com.tacomacc.idm.oclc.org/newspapers/harvest-hope-gl eaners-leave-nothing-waste-feeding/docview/263975653/se-2?accountid=36202 “Home-Delivered Meals.” Pierce County Human Resources, Aging and Disability Resources , https://www .piercecountywa.gov/489/Home-Delivered-Meals . Accessed 16 April 2021. “Pierce County Meal Sites.” Pierce County Human Resources, Aging and Disability Resources, https://www .piercecountywa.gov/553/Meal-Sites .
Accessed 17 April 2021.
Brooks 7 Thompson, David. “The Inaugural Garden.” Food is Free 253, 22 April 2019, https://foodisfree253.com/the-inaugural-garden / "UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Supports Fight Against Food Insecurity in W ashington." Business W ire , Jul 27, 2015 . ProQuest , https://search-proquest-com.tacomacc.idm.oclc.org/wire-feeds/unitedhealthcare- community-plan-supports-fight/docview/1699069701/se-2?accountid=36202 . “What is Food Insecurity?” Hunger and Health Feeding America. https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/understand-food-insecurity/ . Accessed 21 April 2021.
