Volunteer Name: Asmita Kerkar
FFEN Volunteer Role: Layout Design
How did you get involved with FFEN?
I was always looking for opportunities to actively participate in giving back to the community and my this search directed me towards FFEN while researching for volunteer opportunities.
How long have you been volunteering with FFEN?
This is my 10th month of joining the FFEN family in the journey of spreading smiles.
Why do you share your time and talents with FFEN?
I have always been passionate about space psychology and how each element, color texture in space can affect a human beings psychology. I wanted to contribute this aspect to the amazing work FFEN was already doing in terms of enhancing the spatial experience of food shelves.
What is your professional experience (and background) and how does it relate to your volunteer role?
I have a Bachelors degree in Architecture and M.S. in Environmental Design which perfectly aligned with the space planner consultant role with FFEN.
What have your volunteer projects looked like with FFEN?
The best part about working with FFEN is it is more of a conversational process where ideas are heard, visions are imagined and feedback is incorporated both ways which I really appreciated.
What impact have you seen from your volunteer projects with FFEN, either within the organization or for a local food shelf?
I worked on the McLeod county food shelf layout and it is great to see happy faces of food shelf leaders with the experience of space and pointing out particular design strategies saying that decision is really working well the space dose look spacious. Above all I think the biggest impact FFEN is making is connecting place and people which is needed in today’s design industry.
Why do you feel FFEN’s work is important for the Minnesota Hunger Relief Sector?
The work FFEN is doing is important because it dose not just provide information but also makes you experience it through small activities during the events as well as believes in following up which is important. Knowing what might have not gone right or what needs to be improved is a key aspect for an organization serving the community and I love that FFEN believes in having those feedbacks.
Is there a specific volunteer moment/experience that you’d like to share more about?
I really enjoy volunteering with FFEN.The whole team is really warm. Being a fresh graduate while I started volunteering for FFEN I never felt like a Junior Designer rather the team supported your ideas and trusted your decisions which in turn helped boost your confidence.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
How do you ask people? FFEN activity I experienced which involved us having a pen and paper and a shopping experience one scenario where everything is labeled in LBS and shopping items limited to specific pounds and other experience where there is options to choose any 2 or 3 of items made me understand in depth what a person shopping might feel and made me design better. Love what you do. I am happy and proud to be a part of the FFEN family in spreading positivity.
