Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

NUR 4144: Professional Role Development Servant Leadership

Service-Learning Project Individual Reflection Paper
Grading Rubric

Student Name: ____Khiana Lee_____________________

Community Agency: __FeedMore___________________

Instructions: Reflect upon your personal experience in this service-learning activity, using the
following key components. Answers should be derived individually; in other words, do not
discuss this personal reflection with your group. Papers should be between 1000 - 1500 words.

Our group volunteered in FeedMores Community Kitchen. This kitchen serves around

200,000 food insecure people. We were preparing and packaging a variety of meals for their

Meals on Wheels program that feeds homebound seniors. We helped prepare made from scratch

meals. The kitchen runs like a machine. Several of the volunteers that I worked with came each

week to support FeedMore. The women in charge of the community kitchen were methodical

and cared deeply about the quality of food they were serving. They explained that they think of

the clients who received the food as family.

FeedMore serves a very large and diverse community. Prior to this experience, I

understood the issue of limited access to grocery stores and fresh fruits and vegetables. There are

food deserts in Richmond like other urban areas. I understand that urban areas arent the only

food insecure places. I grew up in a rural area where the closest grocery store was thirty minutes

away. Access to food was one of the problems that I saw. I also know that the cost of food can be

an issue for many people. With the rising cost of prescription medications, many seniors on a

fixed income choose between a meal or their medication.

I was able to see the strengths in the community after I visited FeedMore. The majority of

volunteers were from the community. People who understood food insecurity personally or just

NUR 4144 Individual Reflection 1-12-2015 td

saw that there was a need. I was amazed by the commitment of the volunteers who regularly

scheduled time to volunteer.

Prior to my volunteer experience I thought of food insecurity as smaller problem. I have

participated in food drives and I remember dropping off food to the elderly or sick members of

the church. I now understand that even those experiences with food insecurity are from a

privileged perspective. I didnt consider that some people do not have a family or church

community to call on for help.

I learned that FeedMore relies almost exclusively on donations and support from

individuals and corporations. I was surprised to learn that the such a small kitchen was able to

produce so many meals on a daily basis. All of the volunteers that I met were efficient and

dedicated to their task. They helped us assimilate to the new environment.

I learned though this experience that food insecurity is a larger problem then I previously

understood. Nutrition is an important aspect of overall health. I felt that I was able to help the

community that FeedMore serves through this service-learning project. I feel that I will volunteer

with them in the future. Now that I understand what an impact they have on the community. I

also was impressed that they serve healthy meals that take into account seventeen different

dietary restrictions and preferences. I think everyone could benefit from giving to FeedMore,

even if it is only once a month.

This service-learning activity strengthened my call to serve. I appreciate that they are

flexible with the time that you can serve, just four hours or more. I also like that individuals can

volunteer or groups. Something so routine as portioning out dinner trays can make such a

different. This is a great example of servant leadership because as a servant I was able to help

individuals. Helping those individuals will help build a better and stronger community.

NUR 4144 Individual Reflection 1-12-2015 td

Internally prior to this project I had to assess my heart and head. I needed to understand what my

motivation was for volunteering. Was it self-serving to complete a requirement for the course?

Did I believe in the values of FeedMore? After the experience I can say with certainty that I

would volunteer again. I do believe in FeedMores values and I also understand food insecurity

more.

The hands principle was important when we were planning our day. I rotated to different

positions in the assembly line. I had to learn different task along the way. I was conscious of the

overall goal during this process.

I used the habit principle when I remained calm during a very hectic part of the day. I

made a habit of taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. I tried to remember our goal for the day.

I understood the reason that the lead kitchen attended was being so precise. She really cared

about everyone receiving an equal share and felt responsible for the food quality. If someone is

over serving a portion size in the end someone may be left out and not receive the same amount

of food. As she explained everyone deserves the same amount of food.

This service learning activity was different from my prior experiences because I did not

directly interact with the community that I was serving. I feel that I was able to help the

community with my time but I did miss speaking with and interacting with the community. I will

support FeedMore in the future because I do believe in their organization and their values.

Time management, organization and efficiency were the skills that I will take from this

experience into my nursing practice. I also learned to work as a team with strangers. That is an

important part of nursing. I also understand how important nutrition is to a persons overall

health. Nutrition is the foundation of Maslows hierarchy of needs. As a nurse I will always

NUR 4144 Individual Reflection 1-12-2015 td

remember to assess a patients access to nutritional foods. I will no longer assume they have

access.

I enjoyed this service-learning experience. I feel that I can use the skills I learned during

this experience in the future. I am grateful that in a small way I was able to make a difference in

my community. I feel that a lot of work needs to be done to help end food insecurity and

FeedMore is doing its part. I would also like to find a way to encourage companies to open small

community grocery stores and I would like support urban gardens. I look forward to my next

volunteer opportunity.

Points Points
Possible Earned
1. Noticing & Interpreting: 20
What expectations did you have of this experience? Were these
expectations met or not met?
What strengths and problems did you, personally, see in the
community? What assets/solutions to problems did you see?
Why did you see what you saw-- how did your values and
experiences concerning needy communities shape what you
saw and heard?
2. Responding: 20
What have you learned about the needs of this community?
Did you find the service activity to be truly relevant to the
community?
What follow-up should take place to support this communitys
strengths and/or address the communitys needs?
3. Reflecting on service-learning: 30
How has this experience influenced your perception of your
call to serve and you as a servant leader?
Reflect on the core tenets of servant leadership and how they
apply to this service-learning experience.
Describe how you applied each of the following within the
service-learning experience:
i. Heart
ii. Hands
iii. Head
iv. Habits
4. Reflection-on-Action 30

NUR 4144 Individual Reflection 1-12-2015 td

 What surprised you most about your service learning
experience?
How do you think the skills you learned will be used as you
become a registered nurse?
What impact do you think you had on the community where
you completed your service-learning project?
Total Personal Reflection Points: 100

NUR 4144 Individual Reflection 1-12-2015 td