[Faith-talk] volunteer service to the disadvantaged

[Greg Aikens]

Hi Ashley,
I have done quite a bit of volunteering at homeless shelters and food
pantries and was always able to find something productive to do. I did
usually go with others who knew me which really helped. Having a
friend to go with at first might help you discover which jobs they
have available which are more or less doable. Also, being a regular
volunteer will help as you can have more time to get familiar with the
way things are done and where things are kept etc. Even if the staff
is unsure about how you can help, finding one thing you can do will
help them warm up to you and maybe give you more opportunities to
serve.

Some things I found to do are: washing dishes at the homeless shelter,
sorting cans, bottles, and jars at the food pantry, filling bags in an
assembly line type set up at the food pantry or just opening up
plastic grocery bags to give to others going through the assembly
line.

Hope this helps.

Greg

On 5/10/10, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am seeking volunteer service in a number of areas while I look for work.
> We are called upon to help others, especially the disadvantaged.  I might do
> two volunteer jobs to keep busy; I doubt one position will give me something
> full time.  I am applying to the Smithsonian and hospitals for an office
> position.  I also tried a nonprofit assisting those with mental health
> issues called Crisis link.
>
> Those are my main ideas for an office position.  But on the side I desire to
> do something to serve as a Christian.
> Has anyone served at a homeless shelter, food bank, or soup kitchen?  If so
> what did you do and what was it like?  I haven't even been in a soup kitchen
> but have an idea what it might look like.  I have however, served food with
> my church group at a women's shelter.
> Another idea I had and I'm not sure I can do though is to sort and package
> food items at a warehouse or food pantry or sort clothing donations.  I
> don't know whether I need to read labels to do this.  Has anyone helped
> prepare food, even sandwiches, at a soup kitchen?  Since its not my own
> kitchen and I can't see where things are I'm not sure how doable this is.
> Then I figured I could memorize things and I'd be in a group so I could work
> around reading labels by asking people.  I'm not sure though.  Any
> experiences and advice you have would be great.  What alternative techniques
> worked for you and what did not?
>
> Ashley
> _______________________________________________
> Faith-talk mailing list
> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Faith-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/gpaikens%40gmail.com
>