A Qualitative Process Evaluation of a Meal Service Program

Author

Grace Marie Sullivan, University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Tess Lefmann

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This study serves to evaluate the process of a meal service program, local to Northeast Mississippi, in response to the need to evaluate methods of alleviating food insecurity as it continues to be a growing and evolving issue in the American South. The researcher chose to employ qualitative research methods in order to understand the program guests, volunteers, and board members' perceptions of the program's processes using data from interviews with members of each group, a focus group composed of program guests, and photovoice projects completed by program guests. The researcher used thematic analysis to interpret the data and defined three themes relevant to understanding the processes of the meal service program. The themes include viewing positive social interaction as an indicator of program success, expanding the program's resource offerings as a vision for improvement, and recognizing the program's shift from its foundational purpose to serving its current niche.

Recommended Citation

Sullivan, Grace Marie, "A Qualitative Process Evaluation of a Meal Service Program" (2017). Honors Theses. 350.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/350

Accessibility Status

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