Volunteering at Homeless Shelter
Last winter I went to volunteer at the old brewery mission in downtown Montreal. The old brewery
mission is a homeless shelter that houses the homeless. I went with members of my church who organized the event.
We contacted the mission to inform of what we wanted to do, and they graciously agreed. On the day we selected to volunteer we prepared large portions of lasagna,
rice and salad to feed the men who go to the shelter. When we arrived at the shelter we were greeted by volunteers who govern the shelter. The volunteers gave us information about the shelter and then took us on a tour (it was day so rooms were empty).
The men sleep in rooms that contain a large number of beds. They sleep at the shelter by night, go out during the day and come back to eat. The men eat in one large room with about 10 dining tables and with chairs surrounding. This room was connected
to the kitchen that we lined up in front of when we were waiting to receive food to give to the men. After the tour we began to prepare the tables and the meal for the men who would come to eat. We began by placing bread, peaches, napkins, knives and forks and spoons on all of the tables.
Next, the men came in and took their seats. After the men were in we went around with coffee giving to all those who desired it. When the coffee was served, we then served the main course which was the lasagna, rice and salad. After about fifteen to
twenty minutes the men got up from their seats individually and went out the door. When a large number had left from each table we began to bring the plates, cups, knifes and forks into the kitchen to be washed. When all the utensils were off the table we wiped down
the tables which signified the end of dinner and our departure. Volunteering at the old brewery was a good experience for me; it was fun, mysterious and challenging. It was fun because I enjoy helping people who need my help. To volunteer your time is to give a part of yourself, and as result
you receive a blessing for yourself and this is what I received. I had no idea who any of these men were, I’ve never seen them before and they’re never seen me. They just come off the street to have a meal and I just came to serve. I came to serve with nothing to gain, but in the end I was the one to gain more than I could ever give to these men.
This experience showed that there is something extra special about being a servant. There is a piece of happiness that you take in that no other person can really understand. To see the smiling faces, to think of the lives , the people, the histories of these people and even the future of these people.
To know that you played a part in helping someone who could have been starving outside on a cold winter day with no food is divine and just this thought will make me happy forever. Learn more and more about religion at
Allaboutreligion. |
