Old Pine Community Center (OPCC)
Title: Building Healthier Communities Through Food and Summer Learning
Student Interns:
Ronnie Macauley
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Meggie Qu
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice
Academic Preceptor:
Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice
Abby Quinn Peterson, DMD, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Elizabeth Powell, DDS, MPH
University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Mark Atwood
Executive Director, Old Pine Community Center
Community Site:
Old Pine Community Center (OPCC) is a nonprofit organization based in Society Hill. OPCC collaborates with neighborhood community partners to support three programs: food (including food donation), children (including summer camp and after-school programs), and community engagement. Since 1977, OPCC has supported the local community by offering engaging programs and services centered on children and families, addressing food insecurity, and fostering community involvement. Additionally, OPCC offers rental space for private events, celebrations, sports activities, and neighborhood gatherings.
Team’s Experience:
As part of the food program, the Bridging the Gaps student interns helped prepare 300 meals for summer camp children, working in collaboration with organizations like Depaul USA and Puentes de Salud. Every Tuesday and Friday, the interns joined other volunteers in the kitchen to prepare meals, and they packed more than 100 grocery bags each week for individuals in need. The interns also sent donation inquiry emails and visited local restaurants and grocery stores seeking potential donations. As part of the summer camp program, the interns engaged children by teaching proper oral hygiene techniques, introducing STEM-based careers such as the roles of various health scientists, and promoting nutrition education in partnership with the Franklin Institute.
Reflections
“My time at OPCC was incredibly rewarding and insightful, allowing me to gain valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the local community. I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside the kindhearted staff and volunteers, who embody the true spirit of community. This experience has shaped my perspective on community engagement and allowed me to serve those in need. It has also deepened my passion for addressing food insecurity and giving back to the Philadelphia community. OPCC has profoundly impacted both my life and my future career as a healthcare professional, and I will carry these lessons forward in everything I do.”
Ronnie Macauley
“Working at a community center right in the middle of a historic churchyard has been such a peaceful and meaningful experience. I feel really lucky to be in a space that brings together people from so many different backgrounds. It’s amazing to see the basketball court being shared by lawyers and summer camp kids under the same roof. The staff here are incredibly kind and hardworking, and they’ve made my time here so special.”
Meggie Qu