Memories never to be forgotton. An event to ponder.

Because The Homeless Shelter is dependant on mostly volunteers to help serve the people who are homeless, folks who are down on their luck, so to speak and anyone who needs a meal, I felt motivated to help.

On two consecutive Christmas holidays, I helped serve in a homeless shelter. It was quite an experience for me. I was pleased for the opportunity to participate, however.

Each Christmas day I volunteered there, it was raining. Hoorah for the invention of the umbrella. I parked about three blocks away.

As I approached the building, there were people siting near there awaiting their time to enter. Some were in conversation with each other. Others were siting or standing alone. My heart went out to them.

As I entered the establishment, briefly spoke to the manager then was informed there was an orientation scheduled for us.

In a large kitchen some early volunteers were busy preparing the food.

The entree consisted of ham and Turkey with all the trimmings. There were several types of desert. They were given choices.

After the orientation we formed a line in an effort to pick up the trays of food to be delivered to those seated at the tables. I was feeling useful and pleased to be a part this event. The serving time would be several hours.
We were encouraged to talk to those who were interested. Some volunteers took advantage of the opportunity including me.

Everything was very well organized, it seemed.

A large number of people were there to serve and to help in the kitchen. The building was large. Dining rooms became bedrooms in the evenings. One room was closed off for Christmas presents for children, as I understood. All who came in for a meal received a stocking stuffed with mostly personal hygiene items.

I had an opportunity to chat with other volunteers. A family of several members. One lady , after our duty ended was going out searching for a restaurant for herself. Later, wishing I had offered to join her. Though I made plans for myself earlier.

Those who stuck in my mind I will never forget. A father and son. The son approached me. “Can me and my dad have a stocking now?” he asked. Yes I answered. I observed them as they left the dining room. They walked side by side, appeared proud. I felt the son was about the age and size of the boy who played Timmy on Lassie. He resembled the child star, in my opinion. I wondered what their story was. They didn’t appear sad, and seemed to be accepting of their present status.

Another I wouldn’t forget, a party of three. one young woman and two men. As I served them, they were talkative. She (the young woman) told me their blankets were wet and they couldn’t get another one.

Then there was a young woman with three small children. They were allowed to live at the shelter she said. The shelter had rules. One being, as I understand, if there were children with adults, they were accepted day and night for a time period.

Both times I helped there, the program was pretty much the same.