Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
A soup kitchen is one of the few places where the homeless can get a free meal without judgment or discrimination. These institutions rely solely on the generosity of the people and run on donations. As such, they always appreciate people who are willing to donate their money and time.
There are many job requirements for soup kitchen volunteers. A sincere heart for helping the poor is most important. If you’re of school age, you might want to check with the volunteer coordinator first for age requirements.
If you still have no idea where to spend your free time, here are ten reasons why volunteering at a soup kitchen is the best thing you’ll ever do.
It’s A Very Rewarding Experience
Volunteering may not make you rich, but it gives you something more valuable than money: happiness. Helping those who are in need brings that kind of satisfaction that no amount of money can buy. It helps you find that elusive feeling of peace and contentment that luxury cars and flashy gadgets can’t give.
You Make a Difference in Someone’s Life
There is nothing more precious than seeing the smiles of the people you’ve helped. Just the mere knowledge that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life is enough to lift your soul. That’s when you know that you have a purpose. It helps you understand that the work you’re doing is much more than just cooking or serving food. You are changing a life – something that is empowering and humbling at the same time.
You Meet Like-Minded People
Volunteering is more than just helping out; it’s also a chance to make friends. You meet like-minded people who share your passion for helping the poor. It’s so much easier to form connections with people who share your views and interests.
It’s More Than Just Giving Back
Helping out in a soup kitchen is more than just giving back or feeling good about yourself. Nor is it an opportunity to snap a selfie and gather more likes on social media.
Think of it as more like an opportunity to fulfill a moral obligation. As humans, it’s our responsibility to help the more vulnerable members of our society. And helping the homeless is one great way of doing that.
You Learn More About Life
Part of meeting other people is learning about their life stories. Their experiences will teach you valuable lessons that you won’t learn about in books or movies. You’ll learn more about life, relationships, forgiveness, and sacrifices, among others. These lessons help you grow and become a better person. You will be allowing yourself an opportunity to view life from the perspective of others, not just from your own ethnic or socioeconomic status.
It Helps You Learn Several Life Skills
There are a lot of things you can do as a volunteer in a soup kitchen. If cooking is not your thing, you can always stack the shelves or clean the dishes. If you’re keen on details, you can do the inventories. These tasks help you hone and share skills that you can use in other aspects of your life.
You’re Setting a Good Example
If you have kids or younger siblings, chances are they look up to you as a role model. Helping the homeless helps you set a good example for them. It’s also an opportunity to teach them the importance of charity and empathy.
It’s An Opportunity for Family Bonding
Forget about Disneyland or expensive holiday trips to Europe. Volunteering at a soup kitchen can be just as fun for the whole family.
There are a lot of tasks in a soup kitchen that even young children can do. They can hand out napkins or help in assembling take out bags.
More than helping the homeless, you are molding your children to become responsible citizens and great human beings.
It Builds Personal Relationships
Volunteering at a soup kitchen teaches you to drop your prejudices and stereotypes. Instead, you learn to embrace people as they are and understand where they are coming from. You learn to sympathize with their sorrows and celebrate in their victories. This, in turn, helps you build stronger and better personal relationships.
You Learn to Appreciate Your Blessings
Helping the poor and needy helps put things into perspective. When you see people who are happy despite their dreary situations, you’ll realize that your problems are nothing compared to theirs. You start to appreciate the roof over your head, your job, your family, and the fact that you can eat whenever you want to. You learn to be thankful instead of being resentful.
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a firm believer in the power of giving on the poor and she wants to share that with the world. She also loves to write about stories of caring and Christian topics.
