Personal Narrative: Why I Volunteer At A Food Pantry

On Tuesday, September 29 of 2015, I volunteered at a food pantry at the St. John’s Lutheran Church. I was to be there at nine o’clock in the morning and would be there until around noontime. I met Margie Schafer, who is in charge of the food pantry at the church and she introduced me to everyone else who was also volunteering. After introductions, we went straight to work. They explained that they had expected eleven people to come in that day. They also explained to me that people call ahead and let the church know they will be participating in the food pantry for them and their family. They also make a couple extra boxes full of food just in case someone who did not call ahead comes in to receive one. Therefore, they decided to make thirteen total boxes full of food. Immediately I was unloading food items from off shelves and a truck. Since we need thirteen of the same items to put in each box, we all were assigned to certain things. Like for example, I carried out all the cans of green beans and located a spot in the box to put them. Then after I was done with that task, I moved on to another food item. All the food that went into these large boxes were all boxed or canned foods. The more you put these food items in the box the less room there was to fit the other stuff. The women that volunteer every Tuesday for years knew the exact right way to put things to make everything fit just right in the large boxes.

Through volunteering you interact with people less fortunate and hear their stories. Some people lost their jobs and can't find income. Then you have other people who are out of work because they broke their leg. The result of all these horrible things happening to them it made our paths cross. So not only was I there to help and learn about the food pantry, I also there to be