Sometimes, making a difference in your community can feel like an insurmountable task. There are so many complex problems with no clear solution, where does one even start? The answer might surprise you with it's simplicity.
"Chopping onions." was how I replied when people asked what I was doing that morning. The response was definitely oversimplified, but as I was chopping onions at 8 o'clock in the morning, I came to an important realization; sometimes the simplest of tasks can make the biggest of differences. I mean, prepping vegetables, drying dishes, and washing tables are all things we do in our day-to-day lives. By doing all these things I normally do, I was helping to help provide for someone in need.
While on our own time these things usually seem like a chore to some, we all found our time volunteering at Hope Mission quite enjoyable. We as a team found a way to make our duties efficient, yet also fun! Honestly the time worked quite well as a team building exercise. There was even a bit of friendly competition near the end as to who could dry trays the fastest.
The most rewarding part of the whole experience though, was when the doors opened and we began serving food. Seeing the smiles and peoples faces light up as we handed them food was the most amazing part of the experience. It was such a heartwarming experience to be able to help bring a little bit of hope and happiness to someone's morning. Everyone at the tables all face different challenges and struggles, but thanks to all the staff and volunteers like us, they won't have to worry about their next meal.
If you would like to know more about Hope Mission, you can visit their website here. 10% of all sales this July go directly to Hope Mission.