Project Name: An Examination of a Sustainable Solution to Ending Global Hunger 

Essential Question: How does a non-profit organization develop and implement a sustainable solution to global hunger and poverty?

Sub-Questions: 

• How does a non-profit organization fundraise effectively to work towards its mission? 
• How does a non-profit organization adapt and respond to a crisis? More specifically, how is THP responding to COVID-19? In what ways have the jobs and responsibilities of various Hunger Project departments changed in recent weeks? 
• How is New York City (the government, soup kitchens, food pantries, etc.) addressing the rising level of hunger due to COVID-19? How is the city addressing the needs of students who rely on public school lunches?

Statement of Definition: For my Senior Project, I will intern remotely at The Hunger Project, a non-profit organization that works to end hunger and poverty by launching sustainable, grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their implementation globally. During my internship, I hope to learn about how a non-profit develops and implements its mission effectively, what successful fundraising entails, and how THP is responding to COVID-19. I will also conduct my own research on how New York City is responding to the rising level of hunger due to COVID-19.

Overview: The main reason I want to intern at The Hunger Project (THP) for my Senior Project is that I am quite familiar with THP’s work and mission. Five years ago, I traveled with my mother (who is on the board of THP) to India and Bangladesh to gain exposure to several of THP’s programs. I was particularly fascinated by THP’s mission to end global hunger and poverty by empowering women and to inspire communities around the world into creating visions and taking self-reliant action. Ever since my experience viewing the work of THP firsthand, I have wanted to learn more about the work of THP, including its various programs, fundraising, and long-term goals. In addition, I want to assist the organization in any way possible. Furthermore, since global food insecurity and poverty deeply interest me, interning at THP will help me gain an understanding of the root causes of global hunger/poverty and sustainable solution(s). I think interning at THP would allow me to answer my essential question because it would directly expose me to a lot of the internal work that the organization does to work towards its mission.  

Interning at THP would challenge me professionally because I have limited experience interning at non-profit organizations, and performing administrative work  Since public speaking and presentations have always been a personal challenge for me, I think that working at a non-profit would encourage me to speak up more and share my thinking. Furthermore, I think that interning at THP would challenge me on a personal level because it would force me to question and recognize my privilege and identity. Since I am from a relatively affluent family, I am fortunate to have always received the necessary support and resources. I think that interning at a non-profit that partners with global communities to solve hunger and poverty will challenge me to acknowledge and confront my privilege, face uncomfortable truth, and to examine my place in the world. 

I think that interning at THP would reflect the goals and values outlined in LREI’s mission statement because it would allow me to collaborate with others remotely, but also think and learn independently. I think that my project also aligns with LREI’s mission because it would allow me to participate in a major movement and think critically. Furthermore, my project aligns with LREI’s mission since I will be doing my own research on hunger in NYC and comparing it with my learning from my internship.

Documentation Plan: To document my Senior Project, I plan on writing a series of reflective essays. Each week, I plan on sharing my essays with the SP Committee and with my cohort leader by uploading them onto a blog. In terms of schedule, I plan on writing at least two essays a week. My writing will mainly consist of reflections on my activities, personal growth, and learning during the internship. I also plan on writing essays on my findings and discoveries around comparing the response of THP to COVID-19 and the New York City’s response to the recent rise in hunger. I think that writing a series of reflective essays is the best fit for my Senior Project because it will allow me to convey and record my thinking, research, emotions, questions, and overall thought process.