A few weeks ago we partnered with Food & Friends for a volunteering opportunity — something we haven’t done in a while but have missed very much. Volunteering has always been a priority for us and throughout the years we’ve had some amazing experiences ranging from working with the elderly and shelter animals to raising money to feed the homeless. Making time to do good for others and help those in need is incredibly rewarding, so we were happy to jump right back into it with Food & Friends. This wonderful organization’s mission is “to foster a community caring for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by preparing and delivering specialized meals and groceries in conjunction with nutrition counseling.” Nutrition is a challenge for many people but it’s especially critical for those living with these type of illnesses. Having an organization such as Food & Friends who is funded by donors and people like you and I just shows how amazing we are as a community. Providing these type of service for those who need it most is one of the most important civic duties of our generation and we were proud to be part of it even if it was just for a day.
The first thing we noticed when we arrived at the facility was the staff. Everyone was helpful, friendly, and more than willing to educate us about the mission and the daily operations of the kitchen and the staff. We learned that Food & Friends employs a little over 50 staff members and has over ten thousand volunteers – its major driving force and the reason why they are able to do what they do.
Once we got settled it was time to work! As we began to help out in the kitchen we were immediately impressed with the quality of the food and ingredients, the cooking techniques, and cleanliness of the facility. Each meal is carefully prepared, sealed, and marked for each individual. It was humbling to experience how much love goes into each meal. In our four hour shift we met some of the chefs and volunteers, and were able to experience the whole process including opening cans, blending the food, portioning each meal, labeling, and prepping for delivery. Our favorite part was meeting some of the volunteers and learning their stories. Some have been volunteering with Food & Friends for many years. We also hope to be able to come back and do it as often as possible — it’s a great cause and a great experience. Who knows, we may even learn more about cooking while we’re at it!
Are you interested in volunteering as well!? Visit Food & Friends website HERE and drop us a note with any other questions.
PS: Tomorrow, April 28th more than 65 restaurants will donate 25 to 110% of their proceeds to Food & Friends, find the entire list of participating restaurants HERE!
