Nola Akiwowo
February 16, 2010
There’s nothing better in the world than hearing a wonderful story about the true human condition. People are remarkable, and the obstacles they must overcome on a regular basis are as astounding as they are intriguing. Sharing these stories in a compelling way was the reason I decided to study journalism at Northwestern. I put those skills to use after graduation by working as a freelance writer mostly covering Chicago’s artistic and cultural scenes, eventually signing on fulltime with my favorite client: Feeding America.
For the last two years I have spent a lot of time traveling the country and talking to the food recipients served by Feeding America member food banks and their agencies. The job is a first in many respects for me. While I’ve always been drawn to social policy and non-profits, I’ve never really been involved with an organization of Feeding America’s capacity – or one that has obviously made a difference in people’s lives. My travels yield a lot of heart-breaking tales, but there are many stories of hope mixed in as well. It is amazing how much help and support a person can get from their local soup kitchen or food pantry.
When I’m not on the job or spending time with my family, I enjoy investing my time in the arts. I love to sing, paint and support the artistic endeavors of my friends.
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