One of the best experiences I've had in my life has been volunteering at the Mary Brennan Inn, a soup kitchen located in Hempstead, New York. I started volunteering here in my youth, when I would go with my Grandmother, who was a full-time volunteer. I knew I would learn about the homeless community on Long Island, and potentially some useful cooking skills, but I never thought I'd learn as many fascinating things as I did. Here's what I learned.
1) It takes an army to operate a soup kitchen.
Every day, the INN serves warm, nutritious meals free of charge to anyone who is in need. On some days, there are hundreds of guests. There is a committee of people who organize the meal plans, grocery shopping, donations/finances, and volunteers for the soup kitchen. There are people who come in every day to prep the food, to sort through the donated bread and bakery items, and to clean the place from top to bottom. The work these folks are doing for the community is incredible and they are real life heroes.
2) Food insecurity does not discriminate.
I helped serve kids, young adults, the middle aged, and seniors (all heartbreaking!!!). I helped served White families, Black families, Asian families, Indian families, Hispanic families. Men and women and probably some transgender folks. Food insecurity can affect anyone.
3) We really don't need as much as we think
Americans have a lifestyle catered to consumerism. Everywhere we go, we are sold ideas, products, lifestyles, cars, more....more.....more; how much of it do we really need?
Well, I learned during volunteering experiences that material things are not what keeps life interesting. Keeping up with the Jones’s is not a race to be in; both for financial reasons and mental health. Instead, it is better to focus our desire for material items less. After all, it seems inconceivable how those with the most don’t rank as the happiest in the world, but that’s how our psychology works if you get stuck in the race.
4) Your food donations are much more important than you think.
How often have you been asked to donate food? Possibly through your place of worship, through school, or perhaps you've seen a flyer at your library. Have you ever wondered if a donation you made would actually get used? Trust me, it will. Every donation counts. There's more need out there than most people think.
5) Count your blessings.
It's very easy to take things for granted, especially in our modern world where everything we could ever possibly need can be served to us with a couple of keystrokes on a computer or swipes on a smartphone. When connecting with some of the guests, I learned that some of them previously had great jobs or were running thriving businesses at one point, but fell on hard times due to circ*mstances out of their control. It can happen to any of us (it has happened to many over the past couple of years).
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6) Learn By Doing
Too many people think that important skills are learned only on college campuses. When I volunteered at the INN, I learned about cooking for groups of people, about food storage, and helped organize clothing donations for guests. People help washing dishes and if you're detail oriented, you can help with inventories. There are skills to learn in any setting.
7) It Builds Personal Relationships
Volunteering at a soup kitchen teaches you to drop your prejudices and stereotypes. Instead, you learn to embrace people as they are and understand where they are coming from. You learn to sympathize with their sorrows and celebrate in their victories. This, in turn, helps you build stronger and better personal relationships.
8) Everyone Loves Chicken
It's delicious!
9) Food Brings People Together
The sharing of food has brought people together since the beginning of time. It’s how we make friends, nurture relationships, celebrate milestones, mend conflicts and feel gratitude for life. At the INN, food is a central part of the entire experience. Food brings our guests together and takes them from strangers to friends. Dining with strangers can be one of the most enriching experiences of your travels. It's an opportunity to open up and connect with others.
10) Everyone Has A Story
When you volunteer for a community in need, you realize that everyone has a story about who they are and how they got to where they are. It is important to remember that each person has their own unique story, but it is equally important to take the time to honor, appreciate and understand it. Whether you are volunteering at a nursing home, cafeteria or homeless shelter, learning about their individual situation and history can make your experience as a volunteer more intense and useful.
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