As an Aquarius, I am passionate about staying true to my humanitarian personality, and yearning to help people. Volunteering was always something I wanted to explore. However, I’m also an introvert, so going outside my comfort zone can be difficult at times. So, if you’re anything like me, I get it. But on February 9, 2019, I was given an assignment for a class of mine to volunteer at Meal At Noon, a soup kitchen in Long Branch, NJ. Before I say anything else, it was an experience I genuinely will never forget. I am anticipating volunteering many more times throughout my life, and really recommend, if you’ve never done it, or haven’t in a while, you totally should.
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When I got there, at Second Baptist Church, I was immediately welcome by the genuine volunteers, literally, with open arms. I was first introduced to Byron, the man who has ran this organization from the start: 22 years. You know when you just meet someone, and it feels like you’ve known them for so long? When you can actually feel the positive vibe radiating off of them? That was Byron.
We began setting up, cleaning tables, arranging tablecloths, napkins and utensils, and displaying little, flower arrangements. We moved around tables to accommodate the space we were given, and set up chairs.
Right before the doors opened, Byron discussed that it is a nonprofit organization that receives donations, and it’s food, and resources all from the federal, and state government. He also acknowledged that every single volunteer never has, and never will get paid. They are doing this to reach out to the community, help people that are less fortunate, and assist them in continuing their life. I find it terrible, and fascinating, that everyday people are the ones helping the less fortunate, but our country, our political system, does not do everything in their power to. Why can’t they do, what these people like Byron, are doing?
Byron explained to us that here, at Second Baptist Church, there’s a population of mostly minorities, ranging from ages. He explained that we are to not treat anyone as if they are coming here to be fed. He said they look at it as all friends, one group, sitting down together, just simply having lunch. I thought that was pretty profound. He said that some of these individuals may feel embarrassed, or apprehensive about having to come in, asking for food. And they shouldn’t. They did not ask for this. They’ve done nothing wrong. They are just like me. That being said, Byron acknowledged the fact that none of us are to question anyone that walks through the door. Instead, everyone, and anyone is welcomed.
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Myself, and two other friends of mine that were there volunteering, were serving from both the ice cream, and desert cart. Between asking if and what they were in the mood to eat, we had side conversation with many of them. Regarding the weather, or how their day was, or vice versa. Whatever the conversation was, it was sincere, and enjoyable. Genuine, and respectful.
I got the chance to converse with one man who really stood out to me. His name was Hilardo who was 52 from Guatemala. I first began to learn surface, basic facts about him, including his birthday (which is October 28) and how he enjoys heavy metal music, specifically Led Zeppelin. As I spoke more and more to him, I learned he moved here around 32 years ago, and thanks Jesus for all the he has, and thanks him for every day on this Earth. He asked about my mother, and I explained to him that I consider her my best friend. He told me that he sees that my mother raised me right, and going home to tell her that afterwards, made me proud. What I took away most from my multiple conversations with Hilardo, was the statement he made, saying, “Everyday, I feel like a teenager at heart.” I thought that was very impactful. This man is unsure what and where his meals will be from day to day, lives with struggles as many do, and is still such a positive person, who has the biggest smile, and bright light in his eyes. He was genuinely a happy man, and the fact that he looks at the world in such a positive, carefree, and “young” attitude is fantastic.
Some of these people live on the streets, and when we see them, we don’t bat an eye. We don’t speak, we just ignore. But here, they are seen like they are just like any one of us. This is a warm meal for them, and they are unsure where their next one is going to come from. I watched some wrap up extra food for the rest of the day, possibly. Maybe the rest of the weekend? Or in to the next week? It really shook the ground. Not one individual should ever have to worry about how to survive, how to live, and how to eat.
At the end of every Friday, Monmouth University takes their leftover food from the Dining Hall, and contributes it to Meal at Noon. If every University, and Hospital in the US, did what MU does, there would be no more hunger.
I can’t stress how vital I believe not only this organization, but every organization like this one, is. The magnitude of what they are contributing to communities, and peace, is astronomical. They are providing individuals who are deserving of meals, with just that; meals and a shelter. My point of this was, ultimately, just to show someone how rewarding volunteering is, and how I suggest anyone, to contribute towards it. Anywhere. At any time. Walking away from this knowing I just helped one stranger, someone that I would see and originally wished I could help, is the most unexplainable, and amazing feeling, and first step in creating a change.