Volunteer Experience
Gardening
My volunteer experience outside of the kitchen is in the gardens with my dad
Events
Most of my 120 hours of community service were at cooking events to raise money for charity causes such as education and food security.
Today
Event Volunteering
Boudin Bourbon & Beer
Boudin Bourbon and Beer is an event held every year in Champion Square. It is an outside space right next to the Superdome. During the event, over 100 local restaurants raised money for culinary education. It is a casual event with live music, drinks, and a bunch of food. I was often assigned to help a restaurant group with preparation throughout the evening.
Carnivale du Vin
Carnivale du Vin is a high-end fundraiser and auction that costs around 1000 dollars per seat. The night involves a curated four-course dinner with a wine paring. The night consists of plating one aspect of the dish and passing it on to go out. The night aims to increase revenue for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to fund school gardens and other food-related teaching non-profits.
Gardening Experiance
The urban gardening organization Farming New Orleans is deeply rooted in the community’s recovery and sustainability efforts. They transform plots of land cleared by Hurricane Katrina into flourishing gardens. Among the volunteers are the two children of Matthew Jones, one of the founders of Farming New Orleans, including me. Located in the Ninth Ward, a low-income neighborhood significantly affected by the hurricane, the initiative takes a hands-on approach to urban renewal and food security. I worked in lots on Sundays from 12 until I could get a work permit at age 15. I helped the organization build raised garden beds suited for urban spaces where soil quality may be compromised. These beds allow for better control over the soil and growing conditions, making them ideal for various plants, especially in a city environment. I was involved more when I was younger though my father still ropes me in over college breaks when I am not working. In my absence, Matt Jones also leverages his position as a teacher at Newman High School to involve his students in the initiative for extra credit. He also involves college students from Tulane and Xavier.
