Kaitlyn M. ’25 finds inspiration to serve others through Baltimore Hunger Project

At Notre Dame Preparatory School, Kaitlyn M., a senior with a passion for service and leadership, exemplifies this year’s school theme of Living the Mission. Outside the classroom, Kaitlyn has taken her commitment to service and justice for others to new heights by volunteering with the Baltimore Hunger Project (BHP) in her own time. Her journey began during sophomore year when a desire for serving others led her to discover BHP. Today, she serves as a peer ambassador for the organization’s Empowering Minds program, mentoring others and driving meaningful change in the fight against childhood hunger.

 

The core mission of the Baltimore Hunger Project is to bridge the gap in childhood food security, addressing the harsh reality that many children lack meals over the weekend. “There was actually a study done that it takes until Wednesday of the next week for a child who hasn’t eaten over the weekend to be fully nourished again,” said Kaitlyn, who has become well-versed in this topic. The food bags, distributed to students in underserved city and county schools, ensure that these children have something to eat when they are away from school meals.

“I’ve always been interested in service,” said Kaitlyn. “For me, if I’m living sufficiently but others around me are not, that does no good for me. I wanted to go beyond and help others.” Her involvement with the Baltimore Hunger Project's Empowering Minds Leadership Team began during her junior year, a role that allowed her to combine direct service—like packing weekend food bags for children—with systemic advocacy by engaging deeply with the root causes of food insecurity.

 

One of her most eye-opening experiences was visiting a food desert in Baltimore City, where access to affordable and nutritious food is scarce. “It was the only grocery store for miles, and we saw how expensive and limited the options were. We were given $25, the amount SNAP benefits provide, and it was shocking—you couldn’t even buy one meal for a family.”

"Kaitlyn is the embodiment of Living the Mission," said Mr. Steve Pomplon, Notre Dame Prep's Director of Social Service. "Humbly and consistently, she works to address food insecurity in our community through her work with the Baltimore Hunger Project." Her poise and passion were on display last June during her Empowering Minds capstone presentation where she presented her months-long project collecting hygiene and cleanliness products for families of Riverview Elementary School in Halethorpe. Mr. Pomplon and NDP's Assistant Director of Social Service, Cailyn Walter '17, were in attendance for her presentation, demonstrating the unwavering support of her NDP community.

Guided by the school’s community facilitator, Kaitlyn identified an unmet need. “The facilitator explained that while they receive a lot of canned food, it is not as nutritious as fresh produce and vegetables and without the proper appliances, it can be hard to use. Hygiene products, however, are essential because lacking them can take away your sense of human dignity.” With the support of the NDP community and her friends and family, Kaitlyn raised over $1,200 worth of hygiene and cleanliness items.

At the conclusion of her capstone presentation, Kaitlyn was selected and honored with the responsibility of being a Peer Ambassador for this year’s Empowering Minds cohort. "In so many ways, Kaitlyn is what the world needs—a competent, just, and transformative leader," added Pomplon. "NDP could not be more proud of her."

 

Kaitlyn’s dedication extends beyond BHP. As the president of NDP’s Women in Medicine Club and a member of Model UN, she channels her passion for healthcare while advocating for health equity. Inspired by these experiences, Kaitlyn plans to pursue a career in healthcare. “Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger; it’s tied to overall health. I want to work in healthcare to address inequities and make meaningful changes,” said Kaitlyn.

 

For Kaitlyn, service is not just an obligation—it’s a source of fulfillment. “Success isn’t defined by you personally winning but by how many people you can get across the finish line with you. By working with the Baltimore Hunger Project, I'm helping other people find success within their own lives, and that has honestly been the most rewarding part.”

 

Inspired by her experience with the Baltimore Hunger Project, she penned a powerful poem encouraging others to take action against food insecurity—a piece that earned her a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards last year. Through her work with BHP and her leadership at Notre Dame Prep, Kaitlyn truly embodies the school’s mission, proving that one person can spark change, inspire others, and uplift an entire community.