Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Allie Amirault, Sacramento City USD

Youth Ambassadors undertake projects and initiatives related to childhood hunger. What were some of the projects you worked on with SCUSD?

SCUSD offered a curbside, mobile food pantry to SCUSD students and community children at five school sites each week (one site per day) for six consecutive weeks during the summer. Monday through Friday, I helped to run and facilitate the mobile food pantry distributions. On average, we served about 50 families and distributed 100 to 120 food boxes containing a variety of fruits, vegetables and dry goods. The boxes were offered free of charge to increase food access opportunities in underserved communities across Sacramento, and to help offset the rippling effects of the rising costs of goods due to inflation. At each site, we also partnered with restaurants and community-based organizations to offer additional services during curbside distribution, including promotion of summer meal sites, Pandemic EBT information, CalFresh outreach and sign up services. 

How did you decide to become a youth ambassador? 

I learned about the internship through my clinical nutrition program. The Youth Ambassador Program was a culmination of my interests and studies because I really love helping people.  Getting an opportunity to do so in my community would be meaningful to me, as well as a learning experience. Hunger affects more families than we realize in our day-to-day lives, and for me, my first experience with food insecurity was in community college when I received an email directing students and families to a site on campus that serves meals for those who are struggling. You don’t know who could be experiencing hunger; you don’t know if the person sitting next to you could be facing this problem. The internship has allowed me to learn about the issue of food insecurity and how kids and families can access nutrition. 

What are the most memorable parts of your experience as a youth ambassador?

From the kids and families who came to the mobile food pantry sites, to the nutrition services staff at SCUSD, the most memorable experience of the internship has been the people I met and connected with. Even though there were days where I was tired because of the early morning start, I was constantly reminded of why we’re doing this, the impact we are making, and their gratitude. I also liked being in the Central Kitchen and working with the nutrition services staff, getting to know each of them – how they came to be there and learning about their lives. When I was working in the office at the Central Kitchen, their attitude about their work was not so much like, I’m here to make money, but I’m here to make sure that these kids are fed. There was something that was deeper within themselves. It was amazing to see that culture in a workplace. 

Do you have any final thoughts to share?

These programs exist! Spreading awareness about programs like SCUSD’s school meals and summer meals programs is so important. In California these programs are free for kids and families. Many people still don’t know about them, especially during the summer when it’s a little harder to get kids fed. Also, the youth ambassadorship is a helpful way to remind yourself of your purpose and what you are doing is important whatever task you have.

At No Kid Hungry, we believe every single person has a strength to share, and together, we can ensure every kid is equipped to succeed and thrive in the new school year.

As kids go back to school, join us in thanking the 2023 Youth Ambassadors for all they have done to support schools and community organizations who feed and care for kids day in and day out. 

THANK YOU ALLIE!