Swipe Out Hunger Announces the 2022 Nachman Justice Award Recipients

Posted by Swipe Out Hunger

Nov 17, 2022

Each year, Swipe Out Hunger recognizes three student leaders for their food security work on campus through the Nachman Justice Award. Established in honor of former Vice President of Programs Marissa Nachman, this award celebrates students who embody Marissa’s core values of justice, compassion, and equity.

Oftentimes, student leaders are volunteers, advancing our mission of ending student hunger while also balancing their course load, employment, and other responsibilities. In recognition of their commitment to this issue, the Nachman Justice Award gifts $1,000 each to these students that they can choose to use towards expenses like their tuition, fees, textbooks, housing, and more. We’re grateful for the many students in the Swipe network that drive our movement on-the-ground, and we’re thrilled to highlight the unique experiences and dedicated passion of each of these students – congratulations to our 2022 Nachman Justice Award recipients!

Ananiya Jones from West Chester University
Lorenzo Zamora from Bowling Green State University
Sophia Bloom from University of Massachusetts Amherst

Ananiya Jones – West Chester University

“I had quickly learned that even though Black and Brown students only make up 14% of the population at my school, we are the majority of people who use the resource pantry. I secured a job with the center that hosts the resource pantry and got involved with Swipe Out Hunger. The push for having better food on my campus has really made a difference. I’m happy that I decided to use my voice, otherwise things would have never changed.

Winning this award is a reaffirmation of my leadership and how the work that I’m doing here is recognized and important on a national scale, even if it doesn’t look or feel like it. It lets me know that there’s a passionate community out there that’s also doing the work.”

Lorenzo Zamora – Bowling Green State University

“I manage the food pantry: ordering, stocking, taking inventory, and greeting students when they come in to make them feel welcome. That’s a really important part of it — we get a lot of comments where people come in here and say that it just feels like a happy place. A lot of people will refer their friends, it’s really nice to see them come here and feel welcome.

I was really happy [to receive this award] and I’m glad that I can prove to myself that what I’m doing is good for people and that I can help people.”

Sophia Bloom – University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Being a student leader is about listening to the needs of others and helping coordinate student’s passion for change towards meaningful goals. There are so many people on college campuses that want to create a better environment for everyone, but are not sure where to start. Finding those students and encouraging them to direct their energy towards the same aims as others helps build solidarity and momentum on important issues. Student leaders are those who respect the expertise of others and use this input to push for change.”

Are you a student leader committed to ending hunger on your campus? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on future opportunities and awards!

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