Soup Kitchen Volunteers

Fourth Saturday Kitchen Crew

For a very long time now, so long that I am not going to hazard a guess about how long , but I think that Kirstin was in High School when we started, and she is going to her 20th High School Reunion this weekend, so is has been some time now that I have spent most Saturdays at a local Soup Kitchen.  The cast of characters that show up for lunch has changed somewhat, although there is a pretty consistent flow of "regulars" whose trials and tribulations have ebbed and flowed over the past years. There are several volunteers who have also been around for quite a while whose experience I value highly.      

Several of our volunteers came to us from the local high schools that require a "community service" component for graduation.  Many of these young folk often stayed on after their 25 hours of service were over, and have written about their time with us in college application essays.  A valiant few often return to help out during college breaks and summer vacation time.  We are always happy to see them.

St john's University SVdeP

We have been getting other workers from colleges near by.  The Soup Kitchen is within a reasonable walk from two colleges on Staten Island: St. John's University and Wagner College. These young people are often away from home for the first time, and develop a feeling of community when they come to work with us. They form lasting friendships across campus lines, and we get great volunteers who can follow instructions well.

There are also  interns working on hurricane relief who live in a church-owned house down the street from the Soup Kitchen.  One of them has become a regular at the Soup Kitchen when he isn't working.  He has also made good connections with other volunteers and our college friends, and if we have left overs....which we occasionally do, he brings it home to the five other interns who live on a tight budget. 

Our cooking crews often bring volunteers with them. Some of these folks prefer to stay in the kitchen, but others like to venture out to the front of the house to meet and serve our guests.  We try to accommodate all workers to serve within their comfort zones, but are happy when one or two wish to step outside of theirs to experience something different.

Second Saturday meal

And finally, we have a local organization that matches volunteers with projects which comes twice a month (the third and fifth Saturdays) to serve the meal.  At first I was not sure how this would work out, but we have begun to get a regular rota of volunteers who have become invaluable to the running of both the kitchen the dining area.

As the holiday season fast approaches us, I will be hearing from others who want to be "Volunteer for a Day" for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  I have a difficult time dealing with "one day wonders" who want me to provide them with a stellar experience on two of the busiest days in my year.  Well, truth be told, we don't serve on the holidays, unless Christmas falls on a Saturday.  We usually serve a holiday meal the Saturday prior to the holidays.  So this year that means we'll have our traditional Thanksgiving meal on the 22nd of November and Christmas dinner on the 19th of December. On those days I need my most experienced serving crew.  I don't have the time, nor the patience, to deal with rookies.  But, mark my words, at least five to ten will show up.  Pray for me.