A Summer of Impact: Reflections from The Greater Boston Food Bank Interns

This summer, The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) was fortunate to be joined by two terrific interns, Beylen Curtis and Mia Cence, who supported our mission to end hunger here across Eastern Massachusetts. Throughout their internships, they made meaningful contributions and gained hands-on experience on our Community Impact and Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs teams.    

Beylen, an intern with the Community Impact team, shared how her perspective on hunger was profoundly changed when she learned that 1 in 3 people in Massachusetts face food insecurity. Having grown up volunteering at food pantries in Staten Island, she was surprised to learn this jarring statistic given the overall affluence of Massachusetts compared to other states.  From creating trainings on food safety and logistics optimization for GBFB agency partners, to interacting with pantry volunteers during distribution, Beylen saw the impact her work had on neighbors across Eastern Massachusetts over the course of the summer.  Beylen noted that her time at GBFB strengthened her passion for social justice issues related to hunger and equity. 

Mia, our Public Affairs intern, recalled the nerves and excitement of her first day at GBFB. “Walking into the massive Yawkey Distribution Center filled with food destined for over 600 agency partners was an overwhelming but inspiring sight,” she remarked. “Learning about the connection between my work with public policy and what’s happening in the warehouse is a unique feature of GBFB and a reminder of the importance of the work we do every day.”  

Mia worked on projects including a non-partisan food insecurity questionnaire for candidates in the Massachusetts primary election and drafting a policy brief about the impact of Farm Bill policies on hunger relief in Massachusetts.  These experiences solidified her desire to pursue a career in public health nutrition. 

GBFB extends our heartfelt thanks to Mia and Beylen for their dedication and hard work this summer. Both brought enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and a strong commitment to every task they undertook. Their efforts have made a meaningful impact on our organization and for neighbors facing food insecurity across Eastern Massachusetts. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and wish them continued success in their future endeavors! As these interns prepare to return to their academic pursuits, the lessons learned and experiences gained at GBFB will undoubtedly influence their future endeavors. They leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities of food insecurity, a commitment to advocacy, and a drive to continue making a difference in the world. The GBFB internship program not only equips young professionals with valuable skills, but also inspires a lifelong dedication to social justice and community service. 

The Greater Boston Food Bank’s internship program is a testament to the power of immersive, hands-on learning. It offers a unique opportunity for students to contribute to an organization that is making a real difference while simultaneously preparing them to be the leaders of tomorrow. As they carry forward the knowledge and passion gained during their time at GBFB, these interns will continue to champion the cause of ending hunger here and fostering a more just and equitable society.