Welcome to TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Class '25
Hello, I am Jennifer Sunryder. I have lived in a small West Virginian town my whole life and have been married to my High School Sweetheart since 2018. In my free time I enjoy gardening, video games, hiking, documentaries, and much more. What motivated me to join AmeriCorps was my experience with childhood poverty and my desire to improve the lives of the less fortunate.
PROJECT:
Jennifer Sunryder is focusing on enhancing food access for students by managing and improving the campus food pantry and distribution efforts. This includes securing relevant recipes for food boxes, coordinating the acquisition of supplies, and working with local partners like Hardy County Family Service Center to maintain a well-stocked pantry. Additionally, she has been instrumental in setting up a new food cabinet, requesting a display sign, and developing a stocking plan to ensure its sustainability.
A key aspect of Jennifer’s work is fostering collaboration with a local food group through committee involvement. By engaging in these partnerships, she is helping to create a reliable support system for students experiencing food insecurity. Monitoring food cabinet usage also plays a critical role in shaping an effective stocking plan that meets students' needs.
PROGRESS:
Expanding Food Access & Strengthening Partnerships
In the past quarter, Jennifer Sunryder has made significant strides in food distribution and pantry management. She helped distribute a surplus of apples to students, ensuring fresh produce did not go to waste. Additionally, she connected a student with essential resources after career counseling identified a need, demonstrating a commitment to holistic student support.
"Ensuring students have reliable access to nutritious food isn’t just about stocking shelves—it’s about building sustainable support systems that meet their needs today and into the future."
To further improve pantry operations, Jennifer has worked with Hardy County Family Service Center to develop a structured stocking plan. She has also played a key role in obtaining recipes tailored to the monthly food boxes, ensuring students receive nutritious and practical meal options. The pantry’s new food cabinet is fully operational, stocked, and actively being used by students, marking a tangible impact on campus food access.
Looking ahead, Jennifer will continue refining the pantry’s stocking strategies based on usage trends and strengthening local collaborations to ensure long-term sustainability. Her ongoing efforts are laying the foundation for a lasting and effective food support system at Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College.