Strengthening Communities, Growing Leaders

How MEND and Elevate+ Are Building Capacity and Developing Professionals Together

MEND ensures that families across Essex County have reliable access to fresh, healthy food and essential resources in ways that honor dignity, choice, and the voice of their neighbors. As a centralized Fresh Food Hub, MEND sources, stores, and distributes fresh produce and pantry staples to a network of local food pantries and community partners. Through mobile markets, home deliveries, and collaborative initiatives, the organization strengthens the regional food ecosystem while expanding access to nutritious food.

Hosting Elevate+ interns has become an integral part of that ecosystem.

“We saw mission alignment between our organizations,” says Keily Hayes of MEND. “Both are working to fill gaps, reduce disparities, and center dignity.” 

Real Work. Real Impact.

Elevate+ interns at MEND are not observers. They are contributors.

Over the years, interns have:

• Helped run community food distribution events
• Sorted and packed food at the warehouse
• Overseen and trained volunteers
• Translated survey materials and responses
• Entered and analyzed data
• Created flyers and one-pagers
• Developed recipes
• Mapped community assets
• Built consolidated resource directories

One intern gathered information about inclusive farmers markets across the county — identifying which accepted SNAP, WIC, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. After verifying the accuracy of the information, the intern created a comprehensive directory that made these resources more accessible to families in need.

Another supported translation and data entry for surveys, ensuring community voices were accurately captured.

One former intern even became a regular volunteer at monthly food distribution events after her internship ended, bringing not just energy, but her own vehicle to help support the work.

“Elevate+ interns have helped us refine materials, launch new initiatives, improve systems, and complete delayed projects,” Keily explains. “There have been several instances where interns were able to develop summaries and high-level overviews that made our work more accessible to more people.” 

More Than Help — Energy and Culture

Beyond operational impact, the interns have strengthened MEND’s culture.

“They bring incredible energy to our space,” Keily says. “Ideas, excitement, and unique experiences. They also bring strengths straight from the classroom that we’ve all been able to learn from.”

The top qualities Keily consistently sees in Elevate+ interns:

• Eagerness to learn
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Passion for the mission

That energy, combined with intentional mentorship, creates transformation. 

Mentorship That Builds Confidence

Keily has served as a mentor to the Elevate+ interns working at MEND, and she has seen remarkable growth in a short period of time.

“Each of the interns we’ve worked with has shown tremendous growth,” she says. “I credit that growth to their genuine excitement to learn and contribute.”

Interns are encouraged to name both the skills they want to develop and the strengths they already bring. That balance — supporting growth while affirming existing talent — builds confidence quickly.

“It’s incredible to see how mentoring and a supportive environment can quickly bring a shy and quiet student to a confident contributor,” Keily reflects.

She has remained in contact, to some degree, with three of the four interns MEND has hosted — a testament to relationships built on mutual respect and shared purpose.

Why Paid Internships Matter

When asked whether Elevate+ strengthens the nonprofit and local workforce ecosystem, Keily’s answer is clear:

“Yes, significantly.”

Nonprofits need capable hands. Students need experience. But unpaid internships create barriers.

“Interns being compensated for their time and work supports their ability to gain experience, continue through school, and build connections for the future,” she explains. “It’s a win-win.”

When asked whether MEND could offer paid internships without Elevate+ wage funding, Keily acknowledged they might only be able to offer unpaid or credit-only roles.

That distinction matters.

Without funding, paid opportunities often do not exist. And without paid opportunities, many students from low-income backgrounds cannot afford to participate.

The Elevate+ model bridges that gap.

A Holistic Approach



Keily believes Elevate+ stands apart because of its holistic commitment to students.

“They take a more holistic view of interns and their experiences. They demonstrate a commitment to supporting the unique needs of each student. They ask for feedback and incorporate it into their program. They are incredibly responsive.”

This responsiveness benefits nonprofits as well.

“The team at Elevate+ centers dignity in how they support interns and collaborate with nonprofit partners to understand their unique needs and capacity,” Keily says. “The model uplifts students while strengthening the organizations they serve.”

After more than four years of partnership, MEND is proud to continue growing alongside Elevate+.

When opportunity, dignity, and mentorship intersect, impact multiplies — for students, for nonprofits, and for communities.