Yesterday, we hosted our first-ever webinar focused on strengthening your relationship with your partner agencies, also known as the hunger-fighting organizations our students work with in their local communities. Among the student leaders featured were the following:

Allison Blakeley of Rochester Institute of Technology, Lila Stenson and Asya Yukhananov of Goucher College, Emily Lebo of California State University in Fresno, Michelle Barakat of Susquehanna University (pictured above), Julianne Seykor of University of Arkansas, Rachel Carroll of University of Maryland and Stephanie Saunders of Portland Community College.

These students highlighted the ways their chapters affect change in their communities through their work with FRN. Julianne’s chapter, for example, recently hosted a roundtable discussion to hear directly from community members how FRN could better serve them. Michelle’s chapter started a monthly breakfast program to better connect students to the community they serve, and Lila and Asya hope to start a community garden to supply more fresh fruits and vegetables to their partner organization.

All of our speakers stressed the importance of establishing regular communication, organizing additional events or volunteer opportunities and giving voice to individuals experiencing food insecurity. To hear our students’ stories directly, you can stream the webinar recording here. We are constantly proud of the work our students do to fight hunger in novel, yet powerful ways.

To follow our FRNds’ lead and get engaged in your community this holiday season, check out these awesome events: National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth’s Home for the Holidays 2015 & National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by National Coalition for the Homeless.