Golden Harvest Food Bank welcomes two additions to its Augusta-based staff for Summer 2019. As part of the Bank of America Student Leader Program, two recent high school graduates will intern with the Food Bank under the direction of the Food Bank’s Director of Fundraising Bryn Towner. The interns will have the opportunity to work with and learn from staff in all departments; they’ll also gets hands-on experience fighting hunger by volunteering at events like Summer Market Mobile Food Pantries and The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen.

The two Augusta Student Leaders are:                                       

Zarriea Crawford, an Augusta resident and graduate of Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School.

Montrell Daughtry, an Augusta resident and graduate of Lucy Craft Laney High School.

The interns began work earlier this month and already gained a better understand of many of Golden Harvest’s programs. They have had the opportunity to attend business meetings, learn how to financially plan for a month of meals at The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen, help coordinate press events at Mobile Food Pantries and participate in a host of other events at the Food Bank.

“We want them to leave Golden Harvest with not only an understanding of the ins and outs of the operations, budgeting and fundraising at a food bank,” said Bryn Towner, Director of Fundraising at Golden Harvest. “But we also want them to gain an appreciation for the impact that well-executed, well-funded programs can have on the lives of people in need.”

Through Student Leaders, Bank of America helps young people gain work experience, broaden their perspective on how nonprofits serve community needs, and advance their civic engagement. Student Leaders also develop better money habits by working with bank volunteers to increase their financial management skills. The program also hosts a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. Now in its fifteenth year, the bank has recognized nearly 3,500 Student nationwide.

“We recognize that building workforce skills early can help prepare a young person for long-term success,” said Ora Parish, Augusta Market President, Bank of America. “Investing in youth and young adults is part of our broader commitment to connect individuals to the training and jobs needed for success, ultimately strengthening our community and we are thrilled to bring the Student Leader opportunity to the Augusta community.”