Event 2015 Harvard Pilgrim Service Day

Location Manchester, New Hampshire

Date May 14, 2015

Service Partner Beech Street Elementary School New Hampshire Food Bank

ENGAGEMENT NUMBERS:

Volunteers 35

City Year Members 15

Students 55

Community Members 8

Total Hours Served 565

City Year NH Post-Service Day Report

Our Partner and Service:

Beech Street Elementary is not only a place where children go to learn, but also a community center surrounded by Manchester’s most diverse population. The Beech Street community is a place that is supported by many organizations including the New Hampshire Food Bank. On May 14th, over 100 volunteers from City Year, Harvard Pilgrim, Eastern Bank , and students worked to support the Beech Street Community by serving in the New Hampshire Food Bank’s production garden along with fellow AmeriCorps program NCCC to get the garden ready for the summer planting season. By servicing the production garden together, we helped to support the fresh produce that is delivered to over 430 programs in the state of New Hampshire. In addition, HPHC taught students about healthy eating habits and effective physical activity games to share back with their families and friends. The 7th Annual Harvard Pilgrim Service Day made a huge difference to the Beech Street School community and the rest of the communities that the New Hampshire Food Bank reaches.

Working together, the volunteers: Transformed the garden beds by turning soil, adding plastic coverings, and installing water systems throughout Built and 1 washing station for all harvested vegetables Built and 1 drying rack for all harvested and washed vegetables Built and painted 2 garden benches for volunteers to sit and enjoy Built one picnic table for volunteers to sit and relax Students planted broccoli vegetables in cups with attached letters for students to take home and grow Students participated in a healthy eating and cooking demonstration to teach them about smarter eating

choices Engaged 100+ students in physical activity clinics to promote not only eating by healthy living

Media Mentions:

The Union Leader and WMUR for a special nightly broadcast.

Event Day Pictures

To see more photos visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityyear/sets/72157650776094634

Volunteer Ratings

(Strongly Agree = 5, Neutral = 3, Strongly Disagree = 1)

Event Logistics Average Mode

Registration/Sign-In was quick and easy. 4.8 5

I was given information about what the service project was and why we were doing it. 4.4 5

The project was ready when I arrived. 4.7 5

There was enough food and drink provided. 5.0 5

There were enough jobs and tools for everybody. 3.0 3

This service met a community need. 4.8 5

The service project I did made a difference. 4.8 5

I had a great experience working with City Year today. 4.7 5

I want to continue to do/start doing more community service. 4.8 5

Overall Event 4.6 4.8

Survey Results

Volunteer Quotes

“Great Experience! Awesome day!” “Excellent leadership and coordination. Team worked well together, I felt proud of the work.” “Great time as always!” “I always enjoy these events. It makes such a difference.” “It was a pleasure working with City Year and finding out more about the program. City Year is very welcoming and fun to talk to and full of good information.” “I enjoyed building the picnic table.” “Look forward to working with you guys in the future.”

Student Quotes

“One thing I learned today is that exercise is important to give you energy.” “One thing I learned today was 5.2.1.0. Five healthy foods, 2 hours of TV, 1 hour of exercise, and 0 sugars.” “Today I learned how to cook and eat healthy and to not drink soda.” “I learned that worms help your plants grow!”