Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen

I must address the fact that I did not make it to a project in February. I’m disappointed to fall short of my one project per month goal so early in the year, but I’ll make up for it. It has been more difficult than I expected to find volunteer opportunities that I can do on a one-time basis, but they are out there and I’ll continue to find them. Having told just enough people about this blog, I’m sure I’ll keep my year-long commitment one way or another.

My Comfort Zone
This morning, I helped prepare and serve lunch at the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen. I thought volunteering with the homeless would take me outside of my comfort zone, but it was quite the opposite. As I walked in the door, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful, intense aromas of the meal that was being prepared and at the same time, enthusiastically greeted by another volunteer. What a way to start a cold, grey day!?!

The volunteer captain gave me an equally nice welcome and immediately showed me the ropes. She was in charge of the 27 volunteers who were there to prep and serve the food for the approximately 300 homeless people who would arrive at 11am.

Some of my fellow volunteers (left to right): Vsev, Fred, Bruce, Deanna and Richard

There was a mix of volunteers – some who were first-timers like me and some who were “old-timers,” devoting one morning a week to the soup kitchen for years. They were all very nice and they all really enjoyed being there. That kind of energy makes a person feel good. I was anything but uncomfortable.

Stepping Outside Myself
Although I didn’t leave my comfort zone, I did step outside myself for the three hours that I was there and that felt good. I forgot the stuff that weighs me down day to day. I think that is a benefit of volunteering that most volunteers will admit – the opportunity to forget your troubles while you help someone else.

As I helped serve lunch to the clients, I sensed that some of them were regulars and some of them were there for the first time. Some of them didn’t make eye contact with the volunteers and others gave great big smiles with simple words of thanks. Some were understandably sad and some were surprisingly happy.

Driving home, I realized that the happy folks have a grasp on one lesson that I know is true, but one that I have trouble following 100% of the time. Every morning, when I wake up, I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be sad/upset/stressed/etc. Today, thanks to my experience at the soup kitchen, I chose to be happy.

$25,000 by May 1st
The Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen is trying to reach its budget and the weak economy is making it very difficult for them to do so. Through a Steward Foundation Campaign, if they raise $25,000 by May 1st, that amount will be doubled – but they have to make it all the way to $25,000. Every little bit helps. If you’d like to donate, checks can be mailed to The Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 28024, Raleigh, NC 27611.