Food for Thought

Volunteering can be very easy once you find the right cause. Unluckily for me, that cause took some precious time to come across. Once I heard that we would need to volunteer at any place of our choice, I had no idea where to start. However, I did know that I wanted to help people who could not help themselves. Coming across a place that would allow an under-aged was going to be the hardest part. As the deadline for the due date come closer I reached out to family to see if they had any idea were I could go. By some sort of magic, I found the exact volunteer work I had looked for through one quick phone call to a woman named Debbie at a small food shelter called Viola Blythe. She told me about the place, were I could find it, and then we shared a thank you. The hardest part was done, and based on her introduction of the place, I knew that I would be learning something important within the next couple of days.

At first sight, it is obvious that Viola Blythe is a smaller, family owned donation center. To be honest I was glad to see it that way because then I knew that my experience would be a welcoming one. Walking up, I was greeted by a kind woman in her later ages. She guided me in to the warm shelter and I was introduced to the owner Debbie Carvado. Looking around, I saw cans on top of cans that were stacked on top of even more cans. "We're so happy to have you with us today!" she said as she motioned me into the food organization and distribution area. "All this food is donated from schools and families from around the city to help feed those in need." To be honest, I was excited to get started. As she continued to tell me about the place I couldn't help but keep thinking the same thing. We all, even as middle class citizens, take this food for granted. I've never thought about how many things we as a whole take things for granted, food especially. There are people who don't have that luxury. That ability to come into their own home at the end of a long day and eat a meal with their family. These thoughts struck much closer to home than I thought. From that point on, I knew that this volunteer project was going to do something good for me. Which is funny because the only thing I was doing while I was there, was helping others be able to do good for themselves.

In my first experience at Viola Blythe, time seemed to go by so fast. I suppose that time goes that way when you are doing something to make a difference in your community. I am glad to to have found such a pure place to spent my volunteer time to help those families who cannot get the food that they need to support themselves completely. I know that I have much to learn about the center and the way it works. However, I have learned the reason why I chose to help people get the resources they need. I think that my reason is to give back to those who give all they can, which sometimes just might not be enough. I was so happy with my first visit to Viola Blythe and I do plan to return soon to reach out a helping hand again.