My desire to create social change developed after volunteering and living with families in South East Asia in 2001. When I returned home I was angered by the extent to which I was part of a culture that thrived on waste and consumption in a world of poverty and inequality.
While at Sarah Lawrence College, I founded and directed "Empty Bellies," a student-based fair food distribution program that collected left over food from the campus dining hall and from local food establishments and then delivered it to nearby communities in need. I also started the "Swap Box" which allowed students to exchange or donate clothes, books, food, furniture and other items at the end of the school year. The event was a lot of fun and one of the most popular annual events on campus. Ultimately we helped provide a local shelter with 5 full truck loads of items each year!
I expanded both of these program to Purchase College in 2006 while working for the New York Public Interest Research Group as a Project Coordinator at the college lobbying to expanding recycling and keep tuition low.
I've recently completed an online manual to help teach others the process by which to establish similar food rescue and distribution programs in their communities.Dana and her Empty Bellies program received national recognition from the International Youth Foundation's YouthActionNet in 2006 when she was selected as one of 20 young leaders who were honored for their diligent social change efforts.
My home-town of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine - especially my family's home on Sebec Lake.
I would like to see a world where no one is hungry and everyone is empowered to make change in their communities.
Dana joined the Ashoka Changemakers team in August 2007.
Dana is a Competitions and Project Manager of Ashoka’s Changemakers, an online community that “open sources” innovative solutions to entrenched problems worldwide and builds communities of action to support them. Her work focuses on the planning, design, and implementation of collaborative competitions. Dana has experience in the non-profit, academic, and policy sectors centering around efforts to empower marginalized populations towards a just society. Dana has a particular interest in partnership building and sustainable food systems, and is passionate about weaving together private sector savvy with social value and environmental benefit. Dana is a 2010 StartingBloc Fellow.
