Durham Community Food Pantry + Duke University CEIFP Partnership Spotlight: 12 Weeks of Impact
This summer, the Durham Community Food Pantry (DCFP) welcomed Duke University graduate student Louis Scheinfeld through the Community‑Engaged Internship & Fellowship Program (CEIFP), an initiative run by the Duke Center for Community Engaged Scholarship (DCCES). Scheinfeld, a second-year graduate student pursuing his Masters in Applied Economics, is driven by all things data, striving to use statistics and economic analysis to better understand real-world problems as well as evaluate policies and programs. His interests made him a perfect candidate fort the community-oriented CEIFP program, as it connects Duke students with community organizations to encourage the growth of local organization while it confronts real‑world challenges, including food security, housing, education, and health.
Over the course of his 12‑week internship, Louis worked almost 20 hours each week, supporting nearly every aspect of pantry operations and getting the opportunity to work at all volunteer stations. A week in the life of Louis started a bit like this: Mondays and Tuesdays consisted of assisting volunteers with bagging dry goods, sorting bulk donations, preparing produce, and keeping the warehouse organized. By midweek, Louis transitions into distribution where he helps with intake, cart preparation, deli and bread station support, and even serves as a cart wrangler occasionally. On Fridays, he joins warehouse manager Manny Lopez to pick up donations from partner agencies, continuing the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps DCFP running smoothly week after week.
Louis’s willingness to learn every station and jump in wherever needed made him a valued part of the team. When asked about his favorite part of his experience, Louis had to agree with a common sentiment, it all comes back to volunteers: “Every week, people from all different walks of life choose to spend their time helping others because they care about the mission of the pantry and the Durham community. It has been inspiring to see that level of commitment and generosity firsthand…Their enthusiasm and willingness to help have made the work enjoyable, and they’ve shown me how much of a community effort it takes to make an organization like DCFP successful. It’s an experience that has left a lasting impression on me and has deepened my appreciation for community service.”
Though Catholic Charities cannot speak for Duke, Louis’s time at DCFP was well spent and reflects the intention of Duke’s Community‑Engaged Internship & Fellowship Program. The CEIFP’s effort to leverage Duke’s academic resources and students to support local organizations creates meaningful impact for all involved. As a host site, Catholic Charities is proud to participate in a partnership that not only strengthens our mission but also helps emerging leaders gain hands‑on experience serving their community. For Louis, the experience has been a chance to contribute directly to neighbors facing food insecurity. The experience will also leave a lasting impression of the need that exists as he goes on to fulfil his economic policy dreams. Volunteer coordinator Heather Wendeln, who works closely with just about everybody at DCFP, shared that, “All of our interns from DCCES have been wonderful and truly embody the spirit of community engagement. They’re intentional, thoughtful, and committed to working with people to strengthen their well‑being. Every intern brings a refreshing light to the pantry, and Louis was no exception. We hope his time at DCFP was as meaningful for him as it was for us. Thank you, Louis!”