Abstract
The objective of this service-learning project was to humanize the face of hunger for volunteers by empowering patrons attending a soup kitchen with the choice of selecting their meal for dinner. This experience helped foster an emotional connection between patrons and volunteers. A traditional soup kitchen utilizes a single-option, inexpensive meal approach that is cooked and delivered by volunteers. However, this service project, entitled Restaurant Hope, addressed these issues by providing patrons with a diverse menu. In addition, patrons were given the opportunity to request more food (to try other options on the menu) and take home leftover food depending on availability. Choices patrons made in terms of menu preferences were tracked. Volunteers, soup kitchen administrators, and patrons were interviewed to obtain feedback on this service initiative and how it impacted their perceptions on the issue of hunger in their local community.
Recommended Citation
Issa, Salah; Mohammad, Haroon; and Sarfraz, Muhammed I.
(2015)
"Restaurant Hope: Engineering a Choice-Based Service Initiative to Address Hunger,"
Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement: Vol. 2
:
Iss.
1,
Article 6.
DOI: 10.5703/1288284315691
Available at:
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/pjsl/vol2/iss1/6
DOI
10.5703/1288284315691
