Voices From the Field: Youth-Led Hunger Initiative at Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club

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By Sam Piha

We interviewed Jimmy Bulmer, Executive Director of Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy, New York to learn more about his program and their youth-led hunger initiatives focused on addressing food insecurity in their community.

Q: Why did you choose the issue of hunger/food insecurity to address in your program? What actions did your program take?


A: Hunger and food insecurity are real and visible challenges within our community, and they directly impact many of the families we serve. The recent spotlight on SNAP disruptions brought additional awareness and urgency to the issue. As a program that provides daily meals and snacks, we see firsthand how access to food affects a child’s ability to focus, participate, and feel secure.

To address this, our program incorporated conversations and activities around food insecurity, organized food collection efforts, and partnered with local organizations to help support families in need

Q: Were the youth involved in identifying hunger as a problem and determining what actions you could take?


A: Yes. Our youth were actively involved in discussions about community needs and shared their own observations and experiences related to food insecurity. Through group conversations and guided activities, they helped identify hunger as an issue they wanted to address and contributed ideas on how they could help. Their input shaped the actions we took, ensuring that the project felt meaningful and youth-driven. 

Youth participated in assembling care packages and helping to distribute information about local food resources. We also used this as an opportunity to educate members on the importance of supporting one another and contributing to community solutions.

Q: What impact did this have on participants?



A: Participants gained a deeper understanding of challenges faced by others in their community and developed a stronger sense of empathy and social responsibility. Many expressed pride in being able to help and felt empowered knowing that even small actions can make a difference. It also strengthened teamwork and leadership skills as they worked together toward a shared goal. 

Q: What impact did this have on the community?


A: Our efforts helped raise awareness about local food insecurity and contributed tangible support through collected and distributed items. Just as importantly, it demonstrated that young people care deeply about their community and are willing to step up to help. These experiences build stronger connections between youth, families, and community partners and reinforce the idea that we all play a role in supporting one another. 

Q: Is engaging young people in civic engagement/community improvement an important part of your program? Why?



A: Yes, engaging young people in civic engagement and community improvement is a core component of our work at the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club. We believe that when youth understand the needs of their community and see themselves as part of the solution, they build confidence, empathy, and leadership skills. It also reinforces that their voices and actions matter. Experiences like service projects, community partnerships, and youth-led initiatives help our members develop a sense of responsibility and connection to the neighborhood they are growing up in.

We recently released a briefing paper on this topic entitled, Food Insecurity and Afterschool Programs. To download this paper, click here.

MORE ABOUT...

Jimmy Bulmer

Jimmy Bulmer serves as Executive Director of the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy, New York, where he leads efforts to provide safe, supportive spaces and opportunities for local youth and families. A Troy native and former Club member, Jimmy is deeply committed to strengthening the community that helped shape his own path.

He has spent more than a decade working with Boys & Girls Clubs across the Capital Region in roles spanning operations, development, and executive leadership. Today, Jimmy works closely with schools, families, and community partners to address critical issues impacting youth—including food insecurity, access to safe spaces, and workforce development—while ensuring young people have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.