SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2004
		Anusha Shanmugarajah - MBA Rotman School of Management CEI Host Organization - Metro Food Bank, Halifax CEI Funding partner - Rotman School of Management Scholarship

My name is Anusha and I am the Business Planning Officer at the Metro Food Bank Society ~ Nova Scotia this summer. Based out of Halifax, the Metro Food Bank Society feeds over 36,000 individuals every month, and delivered almost $12.5 million of food last year!

This summer, I will be writing a business proposal for a new Community Kitchen initiative. The program is an innovative solution that directly addresses the issues of poverty by helping individuals to earn a living wage through culinary training and job placement, with the added benefit of distributing the prepared meals to member agencies. Life skills, mentoring and job training in the food service industry will be provided to low-income individuals who are strongly committed to gaining employment. By providing individuals with the basic resources to break the vicious cycle of poverty, the Community Kitchens program promotes economic growth and stability in the community.

As this is the first program of it's kind in this area, I will be conducting intensive research into success factors and best practices. I will also be meeting leaders of Halifax universities, hospitals, hotels and associations to cull their expertise, resources and support for the program. Halifax is a fantastic city, everyone at the Metro Food Bank Society is very friendly and helpful, and I am working on an interesting project. So, I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding summer experience!! =)

-Anusha