UR Action partnered with Georgetown University in DC and Wilson College in Franklin County, PA from 2019-2021 on a joint service learning course. Students at Georgetown and Wilson analyzed the interrelated dynamics that cause food injustice in DC and Franklin County, PA and worked with community organizations in both communities to address food insecurity and food waste.

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Program Impact

​“I learned so much! Not only about food injustices in my own community, but about the benefits and trials of partnership and how much change can come about when a group of likeminded changemakers come together.”
​-- Student participant in 2020 program

Summary of program activities:

1. ​ Community partners shared analyses of food insecurity in Washington, DC and Franklin County, PA
2. Wilson students and Georgetown students conducted systems maps to explore the causes and effects of food injustice in Franklin County, PA and Washington DC.
3. Students shared their respective systems maps to examine similarities and differences across urban and rural communities.
4. Wilson and Georgetown students designed food justice projects with local partners. 
5. Student teams implemented projects with local partners to reduce food waste and raise awareness about food injustice. ​

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Tune into Episode 2 of the Areas of Agreement podcast by journalist Elia Powers to hear about our efforts to reduce food waste and food insecurity.

"The UR Action team created an amazing 'hands-on' learning experience for our students that all of us hope we can reproduce at other campuses around the country (the long-term goal)" 

Franklin County, PA

• Population density: 168 people per square mile
• 89% white, 5% Hispanic, 4% black
• Median property value: $176,000
• Donald Trump won 71% of the vote in 2020, and Joe Biden received 28% of the vote. ​

Washington, D.C.

• Population density: 11,535 people per square mile
• 48% black, 40% white
• Median property value: $563,000
• Joe Biden won 92% of the vote in 2020, and Donald Trump received 5% of the vote. ​