Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Junior Advisory Council
The opportunity to be part of the Junior Council finally gave me the chance to not only be a volunteer in the fight against hunger, but gave me the ability to coordinate large scale events that included many others as well, and allowed me to have a greater impact on the issue. Being part of the Junior Council allowed me to become more integrated with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, surrounded me with like-minded teenagers, and together, we have been able to broaden the force for good in the fight against hunger. - JuliAnne Carr-Phillips, Jr. Council Member
What is the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank? The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities for more than 30 years. The Food Bank started as a one-day demonstration on World Food Day in 1981, and to address the needs of hungry families, began permanent operation on October 16, 1982. Now serving 27 counties, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is the largest nonprofit food distribution organization in central Pennsylvania. The Food Bank solicits, inventories and distributes food and other donated products to more than 800 partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.) that directly serve people struggling with hunger. Last year, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank distributed more than 32 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 27 million meals, to individuals and families in need in central Pennsylvania. What is the Junior Advisory Council? The Junior Advisory Council is a group of high school students developed to educate, guide and inspire other students to bring the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s mission of fighting hunger, improving lives and strengthening communities into their schools and communities. During their term (September - May), students will learn about the issue of hunger on both a national and local level and, through collaboration, will be encouraged to mobilize their community to create awareness and will be challenged to complete a project that will have a measurable impact on their community. All students selected to participate in the Junior Advisory Council will receive a $500 post-secondary education scholarship, provided by GIANT Food Stores and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Who is eligible? The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Junior Advisory Council is open to all students in grade 9 through 12 attending public, private, and parochial schools in central Pennsylvania. Entries from cyber and home schooled students are also accepted. Students who have already participated in the Council are not eligible. How do I apply? Interested students should submit the attached application and scholarship essay for consideration. Each submitted application and essay will be considered for the Junior Advisory Council. Completed student information should be sent to: Junior Advisory Council Committee, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2015. Please contact Brad Peterson at 717.564.1700, ext. 3182 or bpeterson@centralpafoodbank.org with any questions.
Dear Student: Thank you for your interest in the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s Junior Advisory Council. In partnership with GIANT Food Stores, we are offering central PA students the opportunity to make a difference in their community and be awarded a scholarship for post-secondary education. The mission of the Junior Advisory Council is to provide a forum and sponsorship for a diverse group of high school students to come together to learn, engage and create the next generation of innovative programs impacting the fight against Ending hunger is an ongoing goal, so hunger. Our vision is that the youth of central Pennsylvania develop why not join a team of students on a lifelong passion for the eradication of hunger through education, the same page as you? social interaction and empowerment. - Tylinn Bitner, Jr. Council Member The Junior Advisory Council term is assigned for one academic year (September - May). The Council will be expected to meet a minimum of once per month, with attendance required. Meeting dates and times will be determined at a later date. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank staff and board members will supervise the council. The Council will be expected to plan and execute one hunger-related project during its term. Submission of your essay will enter you into competition for the top prize - a $1,000 scholarship. All contest finalists that are selected and join the Junior Advisory Council will be awarded a $500 scholarship. When submitting your essay, please remember that an excellent essay uses well-researched ideas and facts to hold together logical and compelling arguments and presents thoughtful solutions to the problem. It also reflects a student s ability to organize complex facts and ideas, to bring in his/her own interesting perspectives and ideas to the analysis and recommendation(s), and to pay attention to writing style and mechanics (grammar, syntax, and punctuation). All essays will be judged by members of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Board of Directors. The judges decisions are final. Thank you for your interest in the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s Junior Advisory Council! Sincerely, Joe Arthur Executive Director Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Dear Parent: Your student has expressed interest in the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s Junior Advisory Council. The Council is a group of high school students who come together to work to educate, guide and inspire other students in bringing the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s mission of fighting hunger, improving lives and strengthening communities into their schools and communities. Students will learn about the issue of hunger on both a national and local level and, through collaboration, will be encouraged to mobilize their community to create awareness and will be challenged to complete a project that will have a measurable impact on their community. By participating in the Junior Advisory Council, your student will gain: The opportunity to serve the community in which he or she lives A meaningful work experience that includes the completion of a project with tangible results Access to learning from industry professionals and mentorship from leaders in the community The development of a myriad of leadership skills over the course of the program; strategic planning, research and decision making, listening, team building, networking, and accountability for results A scholarship courtesy of GIANT Food Stores and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank The first step in this process is to complete the attached application and submit an essay. The topic for this year s essay is: Hunger in Central PA - how can I make a difference? All students selected as finalists are eligible for the Junior Advisory Council and a scholarship courtesy of GIANT Food Stores and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Your student, as part of the Council, will be expected to attend monthly meetings and planning sessions and execute one hunger-related project. The Council will be supervised by Central Pennsylvania Food Bank staff and board members. Sincerely, I wanted to be a part of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Junior Advisory Council so I could partner with like-minded young leaders to impact hunger in our region. As much as I can do as one person, I know there is so much more we can accomplish when we work together. I am interested in public health and communications and hope to work in a professional capacity to improve the lives of those in need. Having this real world experience working with the staff and volunteers at the Food Bank is invaluable. - Mallory Royer, Jr. Council Member Joe Arthur Executive Director Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Instructions for Students 1. Complete and sign the attached application. 2. Compose an essay (no less than 350 and no more than 500 words) that answers the question, Hunger in PA - how can I make a difference? Essays will be judged on the following criteria: correct grammar and punctuation, topic development, knowledge of topic, creativity, and relevance. 3. Make copies of your application materials and send the originals to Junior Advisory Council, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109. To be considered for the Junior Advisory Council, all materials must be postmarked by March 31, 2015. Application Student s Name: Home Address: Date of Birth: City: State: Zip Code: Email Address: Name of High School: List your current extracurricular activities: Application & Instructions Phone Number: Graduation Year: List any honors, awards, scholarships, or grants you have received in high school: List the name and contact information for three (3) references: 1. 2. 3.
Essay To complete your application, compose an essay that answers the question, Hunger in PA - how can I make a difference? (No less than 350 and no more than 500 words). Format Requirements You must follow these instructions. If you do not, your application will be rejected. Essay must be typed on a separate, single-sided page in 12 point Arial font, 1.5 line spacing. A bibliography or works-cited page is required to identify research sources and should follow teacher s preferred bibliography or works-cited guidelines. The bibliography or works-cited page should follow the essay on a separate page. You must follow these instructions. If you do not, your application will be rejected. To ensure fair and anonymous judging, the student s name, school, and other identifying information must only appear on the application form and may not appear on the essay. Announcement of Winners The essay contest winner will be announced at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank during a reception where the finalists will present their essays. Finalists will be notified by May 1, 2015. Additional communications regarding the reception will be forthcoming. Consent I certify that the information stated in this application is true and grant my permission for the information contained herein to be shared with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank s Junior Advisory Council Committee and Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Board of Directors. Student s Signature: Student s Name (Print): Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Parent/Guardian Name (Print): Date: Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2015.
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