My day of service

Monday, January 19 was Martin Luther King, Jr. day. The lawfirm I work for gives us this day off, but they call it a "day on, not a day off." In exchange for not having to show up to work we are asked to do some type of volunteer service, charity work, something along those lines. We also have a blood drive at the office the Friday before.

A group of us from the office served lunch at St. Vincent's - a homeless shelter downtown. It is absolutely amazing the amount of organization in serving a simple meal (ok, not so simple ... talk about carb-loading!). They definitely have it down to a science! In talking to Agnes, the gal who was in charge of the kitchen, the majority of their help comes from volunteers, such as myself. They also have several people through workforce services who are there for the work-through-learning program. Most of the food is donated by local grocery stores and it is all prepared on-site. On Monday we served just over 700 people. They were expecting closer to 1000, since so many restaurants and businesses were closed for the holiday. The "regulars" and full-time people working there were truly concerned about why/where people were.

While I didn't have much opportunity to look up and really take it all in - it's truly a well-tuned machine - when I did have a chance to glance up, the place was packed! Absolutely amazing that there are so many people in need. I am truly grateful for what I have and the opportunities that I have been given. As much as I complain about homework and school, I am very lucky to be able where I am in life right now.