Why did you choose CAPSC for your summer internship?

Spencer: I chose CAPSC for my internship because I have always loved helping people in any job that I do. When I heard about CAPSC and their mission, I knew it was an organization I would like to join. The team’s commitment to make people’s lives better is evident all throughout the office. Everyone here loves what they do and does everything they can to help people in need. I am glad I made the choice to intern here at CAPSC.

What things have you been involved with at CAPSC this summer?

Spencer: Throughout my time at CAPSC this summer, I have been involved with two different departments: food services and advancement. My main job with the advancement team is contacting businesses and filling out donation requests. By filling out these requests, I have been able to secure donations that will later be raffled off at our major golf tournament fundraiser. My other job is working with Summer Meals – one of the food and nutrition programs at CAPSC – which provides free breakfast and lunch to kids under 18. This job is great for me because I have always loved working with food, and Summer Meals allows me to pursue that passion while also helping those in need.

What are your responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?

Spencer: My everyday duties change depending on which program or department I’m working with, but there is a little bit of consistency in what I do. When I’m in the office helping the Advancement Team, my responsibilities include filling out donation requests and filtering through responses from companies we have already reached out to. I correspond with a lot of these companies directly. Sometimes, I will also come into the office to fill in at the front desk. That is typically James’s job, but the rest of us rotate for coverage on his days off and when he’s working with data management. On the other hand, when I work for Summer Meals, my days look very different. I will typically get to the location that I’m assigned to, and that’s when I get the rundown on what meals are being served that day. From there, I work with the other staff at the site to pack over 700 meals for kids in need of food while school is not in session.

What has been your favorite part of the internship so far, and what have you learned from it?

Spencer: My favorite part of this internship by far has been working for the Summer Meals program. It is so rewarding to make meals for the kids, and it is even more fulfilling to see them enjoy the food I prepared. The Summer Meals program is also great because no two days are the same; every day I make different meals and see different faces. I have learned a lot from this part of the job, the main lesson being the importance of giving to those in need. Providing kids with free breakfast and lunch is the best part of my week because it makes me realize I am making a real difference in their lives. Another thing I learned from Summer Meals is how to work quickly and how to pack food and coolers in the most efficient way to feed as many kids as possible.

Read our interviews with Kayla, Eli and James.