By: Islem Mallahi (YES 2023-2024, Tunisia, placed by PAX in Oshkosh, WI)

Giving back to one’s host community is a transformative experience that enriches the lives of others and oneself. My journey of community service during my exchange year in the U.S. ended by participating in a food drive.

Collaboration was the key to success for the food drive. I worked with the U.S. Postal Service and local churches and community organizations. With the support of my host mom, who distributed informational cards and yellow collection bags to mailboxes across the city, we spread awareness of our cause and invited people to lend a hand to their community.

The concept was simple yet powerful: encourage residents to place non-perishable food items in the yellow bags provided and leave them by their mailboxes. The response from the community was heartwarming. My neighbors came together and contributed to support those facing food insecurity.

Personally, this experience was deeply meaningful because it allowed me to repay the kindness I had received during my exchange program. Living in a foreign country for an extended period can be daunting, but the warmth and support I received from my host community made it feel like home. Engaging in the food drive was my way of expressing gratitude and giving back to the community that had given me so much.

Moreover, participating in various initiatives during my exchange year such as food drives, fundraisers to support trafficking victims and serving food during Packers games had fostered in me a sense of responsibility and empowerment. By taking action to alleviate hunger, even in a small way, I felt a sense of agency to contribute to a larger societal issue. It was empowering to realize that through collective effort, we could make a tangible difference.

Beyond the immediate impact of collecting donations, our food drive also sparked conversations about community involvement and solidarity. It brought people together. In a world often marked by division, this experience reminded me of the power of community spirit and collective action to create positive change.

In conclusion, participating in the food drive was a transformative experience that enriched my exchange program journey in profound ways. It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of community service and inspired me to continue seeking opportunities to make a positive impact wherever life takes me.