Food Pantry Report

I was able to complete my required volunteer hours at the Salvation Army by helping out with the food pantry on Thursdays. The reason I chose to help out at the food pantry was because I had helped at my local food pantry before and expected it to be a very similar experience. I went for two days and was given a few simple tasks by the coordinator, Rena Guillaume. My volunteering consisted of handing out food such as chicken, cans of soup, fruits, vegetables, and many other items to each household that came. The food pantry lasted approximately ninety minutes and afterwards I helped clean up. Additionally, I assisted in packaging leftover food and putting it back into the storage room. Volunteering at the food pantry was not very difficult and helped show me what some of the less fortunate have to go through. While I was there, I noticed the huge crowd of people gathered outside waiting
Additionally, I expected it to be very disorganized and expecting not many helpers to come and help on a Thursday morning. However, the pantry was very organized as tables were set up in a circle and people were suppose to start at one specific table and not just walk to the one they wanted to. There was also several helpers on a Thursday morning even though there were only two students from St. John’s, but approximately ten others came by to give a hand with the food pantry which was more than enough. I expected it to be very tedious and dull, but it turned out to be a great experience especially interacting with the people there and also helping make a difference. The experience gave me a little glimpse in the life of the not so wealthy and showed some of the struggles they face to have a decent meal on a daily basis. The volunteering experience was able to teach me about the wealth and poverty that is seen in New York