A powerful grassroots organization of immigrants and allies that is looking for volunteers to help with their food garage, a valuable service for the population that they serve because, as they put it, "people who contribute the most to food production and food service are facing the most food insecurity, and many of the people who are currently keeping the economy running are excluded from stimulus checks because of immigration status."

Volunteer: Josh Bracewell

How was your first time volunteering with Semilla Collective?

My first time volunteering as a delivery driver for Semilla went very well! The process was smooth: I arrived at the loading station, waited in line in my car, had my car loaded up with food, and then hit the road within 20 minutes of arriving.

Who did you interact with? (employees? other volunteers? New Haven residents? students?) How were those interactions?

My first interactions were with the employees/volunteers that loaded up my car. They were very friendly! They gave me my itinerary, relayed instructions, and sent me on my way. I also interacted with the recipients of the food boxes at each of my stops. While most recipients were very friendly, the interactions varied from brief exchanges to full conversations. At one stop, I had an extended conversation with the recipient about her recent operation and the recovery that she's going through.

What did you learn about Semilla before, during and/or after volunteering?

One thing that's helpful to know: being a Spanish-speaker is a plus. On my delivery itinerary, 3 of 7 families were listed as Spanish-speaking only. Secondly, regarding the time commitment, my delivery route took me just over an hour to complete and all of my delivery stops were within 2-10 minutes of each other.

Do you plan to volunteer with them again? Why or why not? What would you say to other SOM students who are considering volunteering with Semilla?

I do plan to drive for Semilla again. I had a very positive experience. A couple of the recipients expressed that they appreciate the service that Semilla provides. This made me feel that I was filling a need. From a practical standpoint, driving for Semilla is an easy way to contribute if you have a car and 2 hours to spare.