Celebrating Our Spring Intern, Jason Lee
This spring, Isaiah 58 Ministries was blessed by the presence and work of Jason Lee, a graduate student at Saint Louis University pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management. From January through May, Jason worked alongside our Program Director, Rev. Meredith Jackson, helping us strengthen one of the most important parts of our ministry: how we receive, organize, store, and distribute food to our community.
While Jason’s internship required only 8–10 hours per week, the impact of his work will be felt for years to come.
To understand his project, it helps to understand the scope of our operation. Each week, thousands of pounds of food move through Isaiah 58 Ministries. Food arrives from grocery partners, food banks, community drives, farmers, and donors. It must then be sorted, stored, tracked, and redistributed through our Choice Food Pantry, Fresh Food Friday program, and emergency food assistance program. Managing that flow efficiently is essential to ensuring that food reaches our neighbors with dignity and care.
Jason immersed himself in every aspect of the process. He learned our daily operations, food procurement procedures, receiving and sorting systems, storage challenges, and distribution methods. With a fresh perspective and strong analytical skills, he identified opportunities to improve organization and efficiency throughout our storage areas.
Working closely with staff and volunteers, Jason developed a comprehensive plan that established clear storage zones for receiving, distribution, seasonal items, overflow inventory, and long-term storage. He helped create intuitive labeling systems, reorganized food storage areas, developed visual guides to explain procedures, and physically moved inventory to improve workflow. He also laid the groundwork for a future inventory management system for our new location that will continue to strengthen our operations.
Perhaps most importantly, Jason understood that successful systems depend on the people who use them. He worked alongside volunteers to introduce new procedures and ensure they were practical, flexible, and easy to follow within our volunteer-led environment.
Reflecting on his experience, Jason shared:
“I learned that supply chain management is not only used to improve efficiency and reduce costs. It can also play an important role in creating systems that help people access the support and resources they need more effectively.”
That insight captures exactly why his work mattered. Behind every shelf, every storage zone, and every process improvement is a person seeking food, stability, and support.
Rev. Meredith Jackson reflected on Jason’s contributions:
“It was great to work with someone with a different set of skills than we already have. Jason was able to have a clearly defined project and did excellent work, particularly in working with the unique challenges of a volunteer-led system.”
As Jason graduates and moves into the next chapter of his career, we are deeply grateful for the knowledge, dedication, and heart he brought to Isaiah 58 Ministries. His work has positioned us to be more organized, more efficient, and ultimately better equipped to serve our neighbors.
Thank you, Jason, for helping us create order from abundance and for being part of the Isaiah 58 Ministries story. We wish you every success in the journey ahead.