On Monday, October 26, I had the opportunity to work alongside a few of my friends I met in my biology lab to prepare food for people in need. This experience allowed me to build a stronger connection with my classmates while also being able to apply what I have learned in biology to real-life situations. Before handling the food, we had to thoroughly wash our hands, apply gloves, and put on hair nets. This reminded me of when we learned about microorganisms, bacteria, and safety procedures in our lecture hall and lab. Properly handling food is important to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens and keeping food safe for others. Overall, I enjoyed my time working alongside Martha's Table and my peers to help such a significant cause.
I had a great time at the Martha tables event. I was able to provide good and nutritious items to the community. I worked in the front greeting people and was able to make connections with the other volunteering and the joyous customers coming in.
Packaged fruits, vegetables, and grains and handed them out to the community.
I volunteered with Martha’s Table to help with a winter coat giveaway for people in the community. I helped set up the coats, move and break down boxes, and pack away the leftover coats after the event. Thousands of coats were given away, and I was glad to be able to contribute to an event that helped so many people.
This experience helped me think more about how having access to basic necessities can affect a person's health. Having a warm coat during the winter is important because it helps the body maintain its temperature and protects people from the cold. Without proper clothing, people are more at risk for cold-related health problems, such as hypothermia. This is especially important for people who may not be able to afford warm clothing.
I also realized that health is about more than just going to the doctor when something is wrong. Having access to things like warm clothing can also affect a person's health and overall well-being. Organizations like Martha's Table help people get things they need but may not always be able to afford. Overall, this experience showed me how something as simple as providing winter coats can make a difference in people's lives and help support their health.
Today at the Martha's Table Winter Coat Event, we got to give out hundreds of warm coats to those in need. By emphasizing homeostasis and thermoregulation which are crucial mechanisms that aid the human body in maintaining a steady internal temperature. Our coat drive links community service to biology. The body has to work harder during the colder months to control its temperature through mechanisms including vasoconstriction and shivering. We can lessen heat loss and shield people from the consequences of severe cold by gathering and giving coats to those in need. This project shows how biological ideas may be used outside of the classroom while enabling us to positively influence our communities.
We sorted and handed out winter coats to people in need.
How it relates to biology: Winter coats mimic biological adaptations that animals use to survive freezing temperatures. Helps people maintain homeostasis.
While volunteering at Marthas Table, myself and other Howard University students had the opportunity to pack bags full of fresh produce in order to distribute them to underprivileged people and families. We sorted vegetables and fruits together and dry goods (rice, potatoes, and beans) to make sure there was a good variety of goods for each customer. In biology, these goods are perfect for much needed nutrition and keeping our bodies in homeostasis. The potatoes and rice are a great source of carbohydrates while the veggies are nutrient dense.
While volunteering at Martha’s Table, a few other Howard students and I sorted and packaged food into bags (including apples, oranges, pears, onions, rice, beans, and more) to distribute to members of the DC community. This experience let me give back while also connecting what I learned in Biology 101 about nutrition and the importance of nutrients in maintaining a healthy body. Food provides the energy and essential nutrients our cells need to function properly, grow, and repair themselves. Volunteering helped me realize how important access to nutritious food is for people’s overall health and well-being, and internal homeostasis. It was rewarding to know my efforts supported families in the community while letting me apply biology concepts to real-life situations.