During her internship at Blazer Kitchen, Master of Social Work student Anai Dubon saw firsthand how a university food pantry could make a difference for a wide range of people. She discovered that the pantry serves UAB students, employees, and referred patients from the UAB health system—extending its reach beyond what many might expect from a traditional food pantry.
“I was surprised at—and impressed by—the number of non-students who shopped there,” recalls Dubon. Through her MSW program, Dubon works at PATH Clinic, which serves uninsured patients with diabetes and helps connect patients with Blazer Kitchen’s resources. Her work at the clinic has given her another perspective on the importance of access to food, particularly for individuals managing chronic health conditions.
“Basically, patients need a referral from a [UAB Medicine partner clinic], and then they can come shop once a month,” she explains. “It just shows how vital Blazer Kitchen is as a resource for not only students but for many others in the community.”
Recently, many local community organizations like Blazer Kitchen have come together to directly support those facing disruptions in food assistance. Dubon saw this happen last year when eligibility changes to SNAP benefits left some community members without the aid they relied on. As the demand for food assistance grew, community members stepped up to donate food to Blazer Kitchen and help meet the needs. “When the SNAP program cuts came down and many people lost their aid, it got busy for us as many people in the community donated food,” Dubon recalls. Despite the increased need, she saw how individuals and organizations could work together to support their neighbors, even when their own resources were limited. “We are all trying to do what we can to give that support to others with the resources that we have,” she says.
Dubon’s internship with Blazer Kitchen ultimately gave her the opportunity to apply the skills she was developing in her MSW program while connecting shoppers with additional resources and services. Through partnerships with a variety of nonprofits including Bundles of Hope, a diaper bank that provides families with essential supplies for their babies, she gained valuable experience supporting individuals and families in need.
“It was a great place to start that allowed me to begin working with people and think about what kind of work I would like to do,” she expresses. “I haven’t officially decided what specific field I would like to work in, but being an intern [at Blazer Kitchen] has definitely strengthened my desire to aid others.”
As Dubon discovered during her internship, Blazer Kitchen demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together to address food insecurity. Join this effort by supporting the Benevolent Fund and helping ensure that food and other essential resources remain available to those who need them.