Our Daily Bread

I have always wondered how I could give back to my community or simply having the chance to help others and when the opportunity came around for me to go out and volunteer with any program or any organization of my choice the first thought that pooped into my head was "Soup Kitchen". I come from a family that likes to donate; whether its clothes, toys, appiliances, etc. We are always trying to help those that are less fortunate. If we know someone that hasnt eaten or doessn't have enough money to buy a meal or cook one, we either give them money or invite them over for dinner or sometimes just make them a plate. I have always wanted to go volunteer at a soup kitchen, mainly from television shows, when the person volunteers there they come back changed or enlightened. So I decided that I was going to volunteer at Our Daily Bread by the way of St. Andrews Church. The staff were so welcoming and really glad to have me there. The head chef, named Chef Liz runs a very tight but friendly kitchen. She makes sure everything is clean and the food is done ontime for when the guest arrive for their lunch. Since the serving staff was already full, I had to wash dishes. They serve food from 11am-1pm everyday. It doesnt matter who comes or the reasoning on why a person is coming as long as you have your organization card you are welcome to a free hot delicious meal. The organization card is free, no hidden fees, absolutely free. Chef Liz gets about 4 to 500 volunteers all the time. So many people want to volunteer there that you have to sign up online before you can come in. Only about 10 people can be in the kitchen, that includes servers, washers and dryers, food handlers, and cooks. All the food that is prepared there have all been donated. Walmart has been the leading provider for most of the food. The fruits and vegetables were donated by local farms. Nothing is wasted at the soup kitchen. The vegetables and fruits that were cut but not needed are sent to a pig pen for the pigs to eat. Its a cycle,"the giver keeps giving." I talked to one of the volunteers, who actually comes to eat there frequently. He told me that at the beginning of the month its only about 150 people that come to eat, but towards the end of the month that number jumps to over 150. He says by that time money has, became tight and the people there sometimes are no longer able to feed their family or themselves. I found that quite interesting and it made sense. Starting off the month pretty fine until, you start getting hit with bills, yeah I could see how that works. Another volunteer told me during the summer it gets really crowded due to the fact children start to come. That also makes since, because during the summer kids are out of school and they need somewhere to go to eat. What is so neat about this place is that they prepare so much food that if the guests want seconds then they can get it after everybody has been through the line atleast once. If there is more food left over after that the volunteers can take the food home to their famillies. Remember no food is wasted. The volunteers even get to try the food before it's served to the guests. I saw all kinds of people at the soup kitchen, which makes me think it's not a specific race, gender, age that needs help, its the whole world. We need more organzitations like Our Daily Bread that wants to make sure that our community no our world doesnt have to go hungry. Its too many resources that we have to let someone not eat. All we need is a few good people that doesnt mind giving a few hours out their day to help the ones that are unable to maintain the lifestyle that we are living. I agree with Murdoch flagging Hardin's Lifeboat thesis as misleading. We (Americans) can help the world hunger problems without punishing ourselves, we have unlimited resources for food. I left the soup kitchen feeling great inside, not because I feel like I did anything special, but to see how grateful and appreacitaive the guests were to have a place where they can come to for a free hot meal and fellowship was simply amzaing. Now I see why the people on televison shows feel the way the do when they leave the soup kitchen.