Michael is an AmeriCorps VISTA, providing free meals to kids as part of the Summer Food Invasion. A recent UW grad, he has his sight on being a pediatrician. But he knows that being a good doctor goes beyond schooling and residency – it means being a leader in the community. That’s where his work with Summer Food Invasion comes in.

“The way the doctor I shadowed explained it to me, you have to be like a community leader and provide health care to the greater community,” he said, adding that living north of the city meant he didn’t have familiarity with certain populations, especially underserved communities. “I wanted to really experience what it was like for people who are more underserved, grow from that experience and see what their needs are so I can help their needs when I become a doctor.”

Turns out, he saw the need for the program as a child without even realizing it. “My best friend in elementary and middle school was on a reduced lunch program,” he said.

It wasn’t until he was in high school that he understood the program, and how severe the need was. Now he’s able to help children who are like his best friend growing up, and children and teens are get the meals – plus guided craft and activity time – they’d otherwise miss out on in the summer.