Vish's Journey in Computer Science

One part of LibreFoodPantry that I found especially interesting was its mission to connect computer science education with real humanitarian impact. Rather than treating software development as an abstract or purely technical exercise, LibreFoodPantry shows how code can directly support local food pantries and the people who rely on them. The idea that free and open-source software can be adapted to meet the needs of different communities stood out to me, because it emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and long-term usefulness instead of profit.

I chose to write about this mission because it reframes how I think about computing as a field. As a senior at Worcester State University, much of my coursework has focused on efficiency, correctness, and performance. While those skills are important, LibreFoodPantry highlights another dimension of computer science: responsibility to society. By involving students and faculty in instructor-led, open-source projects, the organization creates a learning environment where technical skills are developed alongside empathy and civic awareness. This approach makes the work feel meaningful and shows that software can be a practical tool for social good, not just a career skill or academic requirement.

The one thing that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Thea’s Pantry was the Developer Documentation section. As an aspiring Software and Data Engineer this documentation was a revelation and a textbook. I liked the sections around ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Inclusive Language’ a lot. They inspire us to take a moral high ground and be kind and compassionate to our team members.

I also enjoyed the technical sections that gave me a good grasp on managing Workflows using the Git Branch, Pull Request protocol. Other sections such as ‘Release Process’ and ‘Pipelines’ provide a rigid framework around the intended CI/CD Process. Regarding ‘Dependency Management’ I was surprised to find differences between ‘Dependencies’, ‘Dev Dependencies’ and ‘Peer Dependencies’. So far, I only assumed we need to manage ‘Dependencies’ as a single unit.

I am very glad to be part of this Capstone Project with a noble mission.