 Our Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen are busier than ever. Thank you to Loyola University student volunteer leader Emma Marfia, who is key in helping us meet this demand. Emma brings groups of students to assist at the Soup Kitchen each Tuesday. We asked Emma what inspires her to help with our Outreach Ministries:
How did you become a volunteer? I started coming to the Soup Kitchen during my freshman year of college through Loyola's Community Service and Action program (CSA). I continued to show up and volunteer for the people especially. Both my fellow volunteers and the wonderful guests of the Soup Kitchen, getting to talk to them each week was one of my favorite parts of the week. I came to the Soup Kitchen looking for a few friends and have found a whole community. I've been volunteering at the Soup Kitchen for about a year and a half now and it is still one of my favorite parts of the week! Why is volunteering important to you? When I first started volunteering it was because I wanted to make a difference in the Chicago community and hopefully make a few friends with my fellow Loyola volunteers. Over time my reason for volunteering changed, it became less about feeling good about myself and more about the people I was actually serving. As I got the chance to know so many of the wonderful and kind guests, volunteering became important to me because of all the good it was doing for them. Every week all I do is show up and so often the guests will thank me for being there. What seems like such a simple part of my weekly routine means the world to them and that makes volunteering at the kitchen so meaningful to me. What is your favorite part of volunteering? My favorite part of volunteering is for sure the community found at the Soup Kitchen. If it wasn't evident by now I believe the people truly are what make the place. Throughout my volunteer time I've met so many other wonderful volunteers, some that have stayed and many that have come and gone yet it is evident the passion for service that everyone has. So many of the regular Church Parishioner Volunteers have been some of the best mentors I've had and are just so kind, welcoming, and fun to talk to. The guests have also been a highlight of my volunteer experience as I've been able to get to know them and they've gotten to know me. It is such a special feeling to know even when someone who only sees you an hour a week still cares about you and your life so much. Every week I look forward to catching up with everyone at the Soup KItchen and hearing about their lives. Is there anything about Soup Kitchen that others should know? I think it is just important to know that you do not need a reason to be at the Soup Kitchen! Whether you are a volunteer or a guest everyone has their own reasons for showing up. Yet everyone is always so welcomed at the Soup Kitchen whether you're a new visitor or a veteran of the Soup Kitchen, the atmosphere is just so welcoming and warm. Whether you're looking for a hot and hearty meal, a community, or just a place to relax, the soup kitchen has something to offer for everyone! Visit our Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen page to get involved. Comments are closed.
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