Student Leaders Tackle Local Hunger Crisis: Feeding 500 & Open Doors Internship
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, according to Open Doors, Connecticut has seen a 40% rise in food insecurity—affecting an additional 152,600 residents. Today, 1 in 7 people in the state face hunger, including 1 in 6 children. Much of this spike is due to the soaring cost of groceries.
In response, student leaders from Feeding 500, a youth-led initiative addressing hunger and homelessness, recently completed a weeklong internship with Open Doors, a Norwalk-based nonprofit that provides shelter, meals, and support services to individuals and families in crisis.
Together, these organizations are working to address both short-term food needs and long-term community stability.
“No matter political stance, one thing is universal among all humans: no children should be left unfed,” said Open Doors CEO Michele Conderino.
Throughout the week, students collaborated with Open Doors staff, including Development and Donor Relations Manager Maria Davis, Community and Volunteer Manager Laura Lopez, Director of Community Supports Erin McDonough, and CEO Michele Carino. They analyzed challenges from the past year and laid groundwork for a more strategic, impactful year ahead.
Guest speakers—including Board Members Alex Tuff and Sean Conk, as well as Feeding 500 Co-founder Jonathan Yoo—shared insights on leadership, sustainable growth, and community engagement. Students practiced crafting elevator pitches, revitalized social media outreach, and began planning collaborative fundraising events across chapters.
The team also worked on amplifying their message via social media with Communications Manager Caroline Teodori and worked directly in the Open Doors food pantry—unpacking backpacks with food for elementary school students and assisting families in need.
“When I was helping someone pick out food for their children, I realized how much of a difference one person can really make,” said Violet Webby, Co-President of Feeding 500 Greenwich. “It made me grateful not only to have food—but to be able to help someone else have it, too.”
“Despite living in Dairen, just ten minutes from the shelter, I was so unaware that my own neighbors were struggling,” said Darien President Sydney Michalowski. “It was really impactful to see the struggle firsthand.”
The students also met with Open Doors Food Programs Manager Chef Terano Higgs, known as “Chef T,” to gain firsthand insight into food equity and sustainable community solutions.
“I was so inspired by the Open Doors team and guest speakers,” said Wilton President Ally Phelan. “We saw firsthand how a team of people can make a real difference in someone’s life, and learned ways to improve plans for our student-led group to continue to do so in the upcoming year.”
This internship marks the beginning of a year led by committed student voices, which will hopefully bring in lots of support for Open Doors and continue to grow the community around Feeding 500.
The internship kicks off a full calendar of student-led efforts. This year, Feeding 500 Greenwich, led by Miller Fishback, Aaditya Nandakumar, and Violet Webby, is planning many new initiatives. Some highlights include:
A Back-to-School Food & Supplies Drive in September
A community Easter Egg Hunt in March
Expanded partnerships with local businesses and restaurants (Interested vendors can reach out at miller.fishback@gmail.com)
You can also support their mission by donating through this link or following them on Instagram: @Feeding500Greenwich. Even a small gift can help put food on a family’s table.
Stay tuned for more efforts from Feeding 500 throughout the 2025-2026 school year.