HONR 401 Change Project

As a part of the Honors 401 class, Leadership through Social Change, I was required to volunteer at a local organization that was assisting the community with a social change issue that I had a vested interest in. I chose the Echo Food Shelf in Mankato. The organization assists with providing free groceries to individuals or families if they struggle with food insecurity. My change project research paper looks at how food insecurity is such a large issue in not only Mankato, but in Minnesota, as well as in the U.S. This paper provided me with background information on this issue and gave me further evidence that this social issue needs further assistance and understanding. In writing this paper, I drew evidence from multiple sources and combined the information into an encompassing thesis that discussed the past, current, and future implications of food insecurity. I utilized information literacy in how I effectively used various kinds of research, personal interviews, direct experience, and statistics to come to the dire conclusion of the vast issue of food insecurity in this community and in the nation. Combining various excerpts of research allowed me to accomplish the specific goal of realizing how personal this issue has now become to me and how I want to continue to help this always present issue in the future. Through information synthesis, I am able to reflect how this project led to my new understanding and knowledge of food insecurity and how immediate interviews and experience can substantially support the research process. I realized that the research process should always be about more than looking up credible sources, it should contain physically trying to put yourself in the place of what you are discussing.