Meals Become Signs of Hope in a Food Desert

Samy Broyles began his career at the Booker T. Washington Community Center as a volunteer. Having attended the center as a child, he later realized the importance of his ties to the center and decided to volunteer while studying at Miami University. After graduating, Samy was hired on as a frontline staff member. He later accepted the role of program director and was promoted to program & community director in 2016.

Broyles involvement with various community programs and organizations like the NAACP and the 2nd and 4th Ward Community Council opened the door to relationships with many stakeholders throughout the community. From these connections, he learned about UMCFood and the opportunity to feed hungry children with fresh, nutritious food. Of course, Samy was excited about the possibility of giving the children something other than one fruit, one grain and water from the fountain.

The center began receiving food from UMCFood in February 2017. At first Broyles couldn’t believe the food was both healthy – and free. The children now receive food five days a week. And because of UMCFood, the center feeds more children with better food, which is particularly important because the center is located in a food desert. In addition to supplying nutritious food, UMCFood has helped dramatically cut food-related costs for the center, freeing up the center’s budget and saving them more than $6,000 annually.

UMCFood’s involvement has also helped eliminate administrative tasks, providing the center’s director with more time to build relationships throughout the community and take on other significant projects. Most importantly, Broyles can now feed more children with more substantial meals and snacks. Plus, he can provide extra snacks to the children who have nothing at home. Thanks to UMCFood, Samy Broyles and the Booker T. Washington Center are changing the lives of children through food.