Miracle Gross

The Fresh Start Fund

The Fresh Start Fund is a community-driven initiative I created in response to widespread SNAP benefit reductions that left many families across Virginia struggling to meet basic food needs. Motivated by a commitment to service and food security, I organized a donation effort to collect shelf-stable goods, hygiene products, and essential household items for the Peninsula Foodbank.

Miracle Gross standing outside the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank beside a large box of donated canned goods collected through the Fresh Start Fund initiative.
Miracle Gross and volunteer Krystian Sellers, smiling with an employee at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank while holding the official donation receipt.
Poster board filled with handwritten grocery items contributed by community members to guide the Fresh Start Fund’s final donation list.

I developed the campaign’s branding, managed communication efforts, and oversaw item collection and drop-off logistics. Through targeted outreach and messaging rooted in empathy and social impact, the initiative gathered 328 llbs of items that directly supported families experiencing food insecurity in the Hampton Roads region.

Graphic for the Fresh Start Fund showing a kettle and kitchen tools with text explaining that Week Two focuses on collecting everyday kitchen essentials for families facing food insecurity.
Promotional graphic for the Fresh Start Fund Dorm Raids, inviting students in multiple residence halls to donate canned goods and kitchen items to support the community through local food bank donations.

This project reflects my dedication to community wellness and my belief in mobilizing resources through clear communication, intentional branding, and collective action. The Fresh Start Fund stands as a testament to how student-led initiatives can create meaningful, tangible support for underserved communities.