This past summer, I acquired an internship at Baldwin and Lyons, an insurance company in Indianapolis. Every Wednesday during my internship, a couple of employees and I would participate in a prodigious community service project, Meals on Wheels. Throughout the three months that I worked at Baldwin and Lyons, I got acquainted with some of the individuals whom we delivered to. These inspiring individuals were so grateful and appreciative that we took time out of our day to volunteer to do such a service. One elderly woman who we delivered to would sing to us as she came to the front door “good meals, good meals, good meals.” She is one woman that I will never forget. First going into this, I was elated knowing I was I getting out of the office for a few hours. I did not comprehend the fulfillment I would receive from delivering meals to the elderly and disabled. But I am pleased and proud of the work that I have done for Meals on Wheels. There is no better feeling than doing something for someone else and seeing such gratitude for something so simple. Acts 20:35 says, “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Peterson). In an effort to revisit and make a difference in my community, I have arranged that over Thanksgiving break, I work Monday through Wednesday delivering for Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana.
The concept of Meals on Wheels originated in Great Britain in 1939, when the Women’s Volunteer Service for Civil Defense served meals to elderly and disabled during the Blitz. The National Council of Jewish Women started Meals on Wheels in Indianapolis. Mrs. Morris L. Jacobs...
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...u have been successful in your lifetime. I think that people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything in their own lives that they neglect other people. Donating clothes, shoes, and jackets from your closet that you haven’t worn in a year is enough to make a difference. I think it is extremely important that people set aside time to give back to their community at least once a month because you really do get back more than what you put in.
Works Cited
Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana. "Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana." Meals on Wheels of
Central Indiana. N.p., 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Nichols, John. "The Very Fundamentals of Christian Faith." Core 9 Lecture. Shen Auditorium,
Rensselaer. 21 Oct. 2013. Lecture.
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message, Remix: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress Pub. Group, TH1NK, 2006. Print.
Many service projects have had an impact on my life, but the significant one is the time that our group put together Blessing Bags. The Blessing Bags were bags put together for homeless people. This project had an impact on my life because at one point in time, my family struggled. We did not have a stable home and we had to continue movie because of the living expenses. It is very difficult to buy many products that are needed for personal hygiene, especially if someone does not have a stable home. There are many people that live in the streets and it breaks my heart. Whenever I see homeless people, I give them what I can. Although my family did not become homeless, I could not imagine living in the streets without any food, clothing, or products
According to the “Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet” on Feeding America’s website, in 2014 there were over 48 million Americans living in food insecure households, which included 15 million children. During the school year, these children rely on free or reduce breakfast and lunch. When the summer vacation months arrive, these children loose the security of these meals. Feeding America, working alongside the United States Department of Agriculture, provide free summer meals to these children. Unfortunately, not all children and families are aware that these programs are taking place; therefore missing out on a vital resource to help stretch their food dollars throughout the summer
a.k.a. Web. The Web. The Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
...Hobbiss, A. Food Deserts And How To Tackle Them: A Study Of One City's Approach.Health Education Journal, 137-149.
...Hobbiss, A. Food Deserts And How To Tackle Them: A Study Of One City's Approach.Health Education Journal, 137-149.
I also recently volunteered at the Cleveland Food Bank by packing lunches for under privileged children and sorting non-perishable foods for those in need. Prior to participating in volunteer services for the day, we were required to watch a video that explains the purpose of the Cleveland Food Bank and why there is a need for continuous support. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank works to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. The mission of the Cleveland Food Bank is to alleviate hunger by providing food and support to community organizations that feed the hungry. Many people depend on the support because of their financial situation, life changes, and possible mental or physical limitations. The Food Bank acts as a storage unit and distribution facility for smaller agencies and organizations such as schools, homeless shelters, churches, and day
...alition for the Homeless. (2011, November 1). National Coalition for the Homeless. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/hunger.html
People’s lives are changed every day by their actions and experiences. This past summer, I participated in a community service project, an experience that opened my eyes in many ways. I was a volunteer at the County Memorial Hospital. In my time as a volunteer at the hospital, I was able to meet patients and staff members from all over the world and learn about their life experiences. Listening to all of their stories has made me truly appreciate everything which I have.
Imagine a single mother, living in a poverty stricken neighborhood without any personal means of transportation. She walks down the stone-cold streets of Brooklyn and every corner she turns there is either a neon-green sign flashing 7-11 or a red-orange clown spinning a sign reading McDonald’s. In order to reach a supermarket or grocery store she leaves her kids behind, because of the hassle and danger of New York subways, and travels about two miles to feed her and her children a nutritious meal. Although eliminating food deserts in impoverished neighborhoods may not seem possible overnight or have an immediate effect, communities should come together to raise money to build a local grocery store or placing a healthy food trucks down the street, which can soon become a catalyst for completely
I learned about the importance of giving back at the age of 11yr old and putting the very important needs of others in front of my own. Volunteering in a homeless shelter at a young age opened my eyes. Where I was placed to give food, clothes, money & hygiene products to people in need. Where would I be right now without the help of God, my mother, family& friends and the church community”. Giving a helping hand to the people in the community is Something we should always do. In the ("bible Acts 20:35 says in everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the lord Jesus himself said: it is more blessed to give than to receive"). Having a compassionate heart for the community blesses the congregation.
My experiences working in the poor neighborhood soup kitchen allowed me the opportunity to serve the less fortunate. The diners were composed of a variety of ethnic cultures. In serving them, it prompted a push for equality by allowing for interaction between two separate ethnic and social cultures. Serving them helped me understand their struggles with daily survival. Likewise, the assembling of Thanksgiving dinners and visiting the home-bound has succeeded in doing the same. Finally, for three summers I have attended week long mission trips aimed to repair the homes of those in need throughout the poorer areas of America. I've attended trips in Trenton, NJ, Hammond, IN, and Parma, OH. During my experiences, the resident that I served for the week had been from a different ethnic culture. Spending a week with a complete stranger from both a different race as well as a different socioeconomic class is a unique and humbling experience. I learned regardless of that fact, we are all human beings who share common values of kindness, compassion, etc. In all three of my years, our resident was as eager to serve us as we were likewise. Every day of
Volunteering at the Olivet Neighborhood Mission has made me realize that not everyone can afford the same things. In healthcare when patients are sick some tend to refuse treatment because they do not have the funds to pay for it. Educating our patients and the risks that they can take if they
Growing up in a lower income family, I always assumed that earning more money gave me more power to spread good works of humanity. As I got older and experienced more around my community, I witnessed people around me that helped with things such as hurricane relief programs and canned food drives. This inspired me to find ways for me to impact others in my community. Each year my family donates all leftover food from our local grocery store to people in need all over
“To whom much is given, much is expected.” This quote exemplifies my own personal philosophy on community service. Service is the greatest gift one can return to their community. When an individual takes their personal time and effort to help others in need, it helps progress not only the community they live in, but multiple communities ; ultimately promoting unity and teamwork. People gather together to work towards a common goal: building the people and organizations they are directly and indirectly affected by so that the next generation will be stronger than the previous one. Community service is but is not limited to monetary and material donations, housing reinforcement, neighborhood clean ups. It is as simple as holding a toy drive for
I also had the privilege of helping with the Meals on Wheels non profit organization. My grandfather used to be a Meals on Wheels recipient and he would share with me how he enjoyed looking forward to their company and a hot meal daily. I volunteered because I wanted to give back and help someone else’s loved one in the same way. It was very rewarding delivering hot meals to people who didn’t have the means of getting one as well as being there for them to talk to. Overall, it was a very humbling experience, it made me realize just how blessed I am and how much I take for granted daily.