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 organization and decided to give back while studying at Miami University. After graduating, Samy was hired 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. Through these connections, he learned about UMCFood and the opportunity to feed hungry children with fresh, nutritious food. Naturally, Samy was excited about the possibility of giving the children something more 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 meals five days a week.

Because of UMCFood, the center feeds more children with better food, especially 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 its budget and saving more than $6,000 annually.

UMCFood’s involvement has also helped reduce 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—and even provide extras for those who have nothing at home. Thanks to UMCFood, Samy Broyles and the Booker T. Washington Community Center are changing the lives of children through food.