Hunger and Homelessness
Program Coordinators
Jiaao Gong
Rachel Kaufman
Janis Li
Issac Paddy
Chloe Shiff
Nitya Talreja
Email the Coordinators
Hunger and Homelessness (H&H) offers volunteer programs that address homelessness and poverty in the Greater Boston Area. H&H is unique in that we offer volunteer commitments both large and small throughout the year – please review our programs below for more information.
Programs
Food for Thought
In the beginning of each semester volunteers collect unused guest meals from Brandeis students and exchange them to Brandeis dinning services for a pound of food per meal that is collected. This food is donated throughout the year on a weekly basis to the Community Day Center of Waltham, a day shelter for those who experience poverty and housing insecurity. Volunteers serve the meal and facilitate discussion with the guests of the shelter.
Halloween for the Hungry
Brandeis students trick-or-treat in Waltham on Halloween collecting nonperishable food items to be donated to the Middlesex Human Service Agency. Volunteers also help flyer Waltham neighborhoods informing residents of the event prior to Halloween.
Wellness Drive
Volunteers go door-to-door in Waltham during the spring to collect hygiene products, personal care items and gently used clothing that we donate to the Middlesex Human Service Agency (Bristol Lodge) in Waltham. Volunteers also help flyer Waltham neighborhoods informing residents of the event prior to the day of the drive.
Greater Boston Food Bank
Volunteers spend a weekend afternoon sorting donations at the Greater Boston Food Bank, contributing to the food bank's process of redistribution.
Program Details
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Population Served: Community members actively seeking support, food and shelter from community organizations
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Community Partners: The Community Day Center of Waltham, the Greater Boston Food Bank, Bristol Lodge
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Transportation: Transportation is provided for every program.
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How to Participate: Please join the Hunger and Homelessness listserv to receive regular updates regarding the above opportunities. If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to email the program’s coordinators.
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Volunteer Time Commitment: Depending on the project, volunteer time commitments range from a few hours per month to three hours per week. Our food and clothing drives occur once a semester for the duration of a day, and we visit the Waltham Community Day Center for approximately three hours per week.