Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, budding global leaders got to engage with and serve the Indianapolis community this month.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a U.S. Department of State flagship program that brings “exceptional young professionals” into the country for leadership training as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Midwest Food Bank’s Indianapolis Division welcomed a group of these fellows, comprised of young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa, to participate in a Day of Impact featuring hands-on volunteer opportunities to “build bridges through service,” according to a press release.
“Hosting these dynamic leaders was both a privilege and a powerful reminder that service transcends borders,” Diara Nicholson, executive director of Midwest Food Bank Indiana, said in a statement. “The Fellows brought energy, fresh ideas and a deep commitment to making a difference — something we value deeply at MFB.”
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This visit to Midwest Food Bank was organized by IREXin partnership with Purdue University’s International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA). The Day of Impact in the Indianapolis community allowed the young, global leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and gain first hand exposure to American nonprofit operations and food security solutions while volunteering, according to a press release.
Fellows lent their hands to food packing and warehouse operations throughout the day, helping to support Midwest Food Bank’s distribution network — which serves more than 2,4000 nonprofit partners across the country and internationally. The visit highlighted the shared commitment to equity, leadership and sustainable solutions in the fight against hunger and poverty, according to a press release.
“This wasn’t just about logistics,” Gary Burniske, academic director for the Mandela Washington Fellows Program at Purdue University, said in a statement. “It was about understanding how communities work together to lift one another up — and Midwest Food Bank exemplifies that spirit beautifully.”
Community impact
Through volunteering at Midwest Food Bank, the Mandela Washington Fellows experienced firsthand the ways in which local service initiatives can directly impact communities on a larger scale. Their presence “enriched the Midwest Food Bank Indiana team while deepening cross-cultural understanding and commitment to global change,” according to a press release.
Staying connected
Opportunities to get involved and volunteer with the Midwest Food Bank, like the Mandela Washington Fellows Day of Impact, exist year-round. Midwest Food Bank encourages people to join local teams to help sort, pack and distribute food.
Financial support in the form of donations is also always welcome to ensure Midwest Food Bank is able to continue serving communities in need.
For more information, visit midwestfoodbank.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
