Bloomberg Fellows Spotlight: Paige Volpenhein

Bloomberg Fellows Spotlight: Paige Volpenhein

Paige Volpenhein, the Community Impact Manager at the Star of the Sea (SOS) Foundation, brings a unique perspective to addressing food insecurity in Key West, FL. In this episode of The American Health Podcast, Paige, alongside her colleague Tom Callahan, Executive Director of the SOS Foundation, shares their experiences and strategies for combating food scarcity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paige's journey is anything but ordinary.

After college, she joined the Peace Corps in Cambodia but had to return to the US for surgery and physical therapy. This unexpected turn led her to the SOS Foundation, where she now plays a pivotal role in managing food pantries, a community kitchen, and nutrition education programs. The conversation dives deep into the dual impact of Hurricane Irma and COVID-19 on local food security.

Paige and Tom discuss how they surveyed their pantry clients to understand the economic instability these events caused. They also highlight innovative solutions like St. Peter's Fleet, which provides jobs for local fishermen while supporting nonprofits in disaster response. Paige is currently working on expanding their survey project and is eager to apply her academic learnings to real-world challenges. This episode emphasizes the importance of creative problem-solving and data analysis in tackling food insecurity, especially during a global crisis.

Tune in to hear Paige's inspiring story and learn more about the Bloomberg American Health Initiative and the Bloomberg Fellows Program.