Service Learning Project Presentation

Kalyana Kimpo

My Site Supervisors

Mai Nguyen:

• 2019: Found MKP through Google to volunteer when it was still a soup pantry
• 2024: Rediscovered MKP as a food pantry - Started taking pictures + posting on social media

Harold Arscott:

• 2019: Found MKP in need as a homeless immigrant dealing w/ an injury in the workplace
• 2024: Came back to help w/ rebranding MKP

Harold and Mai joined forces to form the “Media Minions” alongside others like Ali!

My Service Site

Tree of New American (TONA) is a nonprofit collocated w/ MKP founded by Harold and Mai

Mission: Get food to low-income communities suffering from food insecurity

What They Do: Work w/ permanent and temporary supportive housing managers to address the health & wellness of their residents through nutrition by facilitating MobilePop-Up food pantries in collaboration w/ Mary’s Kitchen Pantry

Recent Successes:

• 5 successful pilots w/in March & April
• Forming relationships w/ food pantries to supply groceries for regular pilot programs

A Brief History of TONA

Oct. - Dec. 2024

Strategic Growth and Operational Development

Jan. 2025

Transition, Strategic Planning, and Expansion Vision

Feb. 2025

Partnerships, Logistics, and Volunteer Development

March 2025

Official Status and Program Expansion

April 2025

Preparing for Expansion & Consistent Service Delivery

Future

Expanding Services to More Communities

My Experience Volunteering

My Tasks:

• Participated in Social Media Posts
• Took Pictures of Events & Volunteer Life
• Filming/Interviewing Fellow Volunteers
• Packing/Distributing Food
• Organize Scheduling
• Setting Up/Cleaning Up Events

Sycamore Elementary School - 3/8

I participated in a MobilePop-Up through Mary’s Kitchen Pantry & helped to pass out food to families in need! We had fruits, vegetables, hot meals, bread, snacks, cereal, and clothing.

Miraflores Apartments - 4/2

Established by HOPE through Housing, Miraflores offers affordable apartment homes for individuals based on the area median income (AMI). I helped to set up their first pilot program, filmed content for social media with the other volunteers, and passed out foods to the residents.

First Christian Church of Orange - 4/12

I took pictures for social media and helped out at a huge garage sale hosted by Mary’s Kitchen Pantry volunteers. They donated their own items to sell at affordable prices. Some items included clothing, dishware, jewelry, furniture, etc., and I bought a ton of stuff!

Mai’s House - 5/3

I participated in filming a cooking video using ingredients from a nutrition box to cook 3 separate dishes with Mai and Harold!

Some More Highlights!

Far Left: Harold’s Bunny, Mr. Bumfluff

Upper Middle: Filming BTS!

Lower Middle: Special Visitor at the Garage Sale

Far Right: My HUGE Haul from the Garage Sale

My Key Takeaways

• Self advocacy is essential - Resources are available to you, but you need to be proactive
• Making a difference isn’t about outreach, it’s about reaching out
• As a volunteer, it’s important to stay open minded, patient, and understanding
• Conflict is bound to happen in life, even with nonprofits
• You CAN make a difference, every contribution matters!

Thanks for Listening!

Do you want to get involved with TONA?

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Email: treeofnewamerica@gmail.com

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Website: https://treeofnewamerica.com/

@TreeofNewAmerica

@treeof_newamerica

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