Reflection of Community Service

In order to fulfill the 12 hours of community service requirement for Nutrition course 139 I applied with five organizations on the approved list. The organization that replied me the fastest was Open Heart Kitchen, they mostly operate in Pleasanton and Livermore areas. Their application and signing up for shift process gives a feeling that this organization is massive, and many individuals really care about the less fortunate. From observation and conversations with the site supervisor, I believe this organization relies on individual donations, small business donations and large corporate donations such as Safeway and Walmart. This organization also relies on volunteers to work every day, they get workers from students fulfilling their hours and resume, individuals fulfilling court orders, and those that just want to help the less fortunate.
My first shift started on February 21, 2014, there was not a training session or orientation. The majority of the work at the site was something one would do around their own home. As soon as I stepped in and introduced myself to the site supervisor, I was put to work. I started with making juice and filling the container with water. Then I worked with another volunteer putting warning label on boxes to warn people of hot plate. Then it was time to open up and start serving food, I was on desert duty. It was easy, which allowed me to make observations and make mental notes. I noticed the majority of the people vising this particular soup kitchen in Livermore were Caucasian, and varied in ages. There are some that appears to be in their 60s, and a couple groups that appears to be in the low 20s and homeless. Although majority of the customers are homeless, some have a house of their own. Ev...

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.... On the first day, I noticed one person poured large amount of sugar on to her meal, then in the following weeks I would notice people pouring large amounts of salt and pepper on the already salty main courses. They literally covered their entire plate or to go boxes with salt and pepper on top. It is true salt gives food better flavoring, but consuming that much would be dangerous to anyone’s health. I could only hope those people do not eat every meal with that much salt and pepper for their own sake.
I really enjoyed volunteering at a soup kitchen offering a bit of my time to serve those that are at a down point of their live. However, it is unlikely I will continue the service after I met the 12-hour requirement. The location is simply too far away, and the gas is just not worth it, however, I would seek other volunteer organizations in the future in my area.