Submitted by Neighbor to Neighbor
Neighbor to Neighbor, Greenwich’s only food pantry, recently wrapped up its inaugural summer internship program. Through hands-on work, structured seminars, and direct community engagement, the interns built confidence, developed a sense of civic responsibility, and gained firsthand insight into food insecurity in Greenwich and Fairfield County.
Made possible by a grant, the program employed eight high school student interns for 2 months. The interns worked eight hours a week: Tuesdays were reserved for professional development workshops, and Wednesdays and Thursdays were split between Neighbor’s pantry and community gardens, which provide fresh seasonal produce to Neighbor’s clients.
For Jason Grippo, Neighbor to Neighbor’s Student Volunteer and Garden Operations Coordinator, watching the interns grow more confident in the garden over the summer was a treat.
“Introducing the interns to new skills and seeing them applied was very rewarding. Many have never gardened before and were initially worried they would not do well. After learning how to plant, maintain, and harvest, they all really enjoyed it.” Grippo said. “Once they understood that this was a learning experience, their confidence increased, and they took ownership of their activities each week.”
At the pantry, the interns learned about the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit, supported checkout and stocking, and assembled grocery care packages for Neighbor’s Summer Supplement Program. They also packed backpacks with school supplies for students as part of the organization’s annual back-to-school donation program made possible by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.
Contributed photo: Neighbor to Neighbor
Contributed photo: Neighbor to Neighbor
Contributed photo: Neighbor to Neighbor
Intern Bianca Ortega-Tapia said the relationships she built with fellow interns stood out most.
“Getting to know and interact with the other interns was by far my favorite part; it was lovely to be part of an experience where we could come together and work as a team for the best cause — giving back to those in our community. I plan on taking the experience with me and using it as a reminder in the future of the importance of helping others and the joy I find in it,” Bianca said.
The internship program also aimed to build professional and life skills for college and career through weekly seminars featuring local leaders: Neighbor to Neighbor Executive Director K. Brent Hill spoke on nonprofit leadership; Haizel McIntyre, founder of Making Money Movers, covered financial literacy for young adults; Alexa Gudelsky, MPH, Health and Outreach Coordinator at Family Centers, spoke on health and nutrition; Andrea Blume, Executive Director of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, discussed the local business community, entrepreneurship, and career pathways; and Karen Brennan led a session on resume writing, cover letters, and interview skills. In their final week of the program, the interns visited the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, a key Neighbor to Neighbor partner, to see their work in action.
Dayanna Dias, who is college-bound this fall, said the professional development seminars gave her tools she expects to use for years to come.
“My favorite part of the internship was definitely the Tuesdays when we had guest speakers. I was able to learn important information about how to make a resume and how to make a good impression on people. Before this program, I didn’t realize how important the little things, like the organization of a resume, could be,” Dias said.
Sonya Keshwani, Neighbor to Neighbor’s Public Affairs Manager, said the transformation she saw in the interns was incredibly rewarding.
“Watching our interns arrive as students and leave as young professionals was the highlight of this summer. Over eight weeks, they grew into confident and capable individuals who could navigate professional interactions with poise. They left with a deeper understanding of their community — and a sense that their skills, talents, and passions have the power to make a difference right now,” Keshwani said.
For Daniel Pinto, the internship reinforced the value of even small gestures of kindness.
“I really enjoyed working with other people and being a part of a program like this. It made me realize that it feels really good to help other people out even if it’s a small act of kindness like asking how their day is,” Pinto said. “Through this program, I gained a better understanding of how important it is to give back to people and help people who may be going through difficult times.”
While Neighbor to Neighbor views the internship program as a long-term investment, the organization also sees the urgency of engaging young people in public service and deepening their understanding of their neighbors’ needs. Rising food and gas prices, plus recent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility cuts, have pushed Neighbor to Neighbor’s client numbers up 14% this year alone. According to DataHaven and Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, 11,000+ Fairfield County families are at risk of losing SNAP benefits, which will ripple through every pantry in our region.
“This program is not just about developing the next generation of leaders — it is about building a community of young people who act on that understanding. We are committed to growing this program and ensuring it remains a cornerstone of Neighbor to Neighbor’s impact on the Greenwich community,” Keshwani said.