Volunteers of the Week
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Lydia Castro - 6/27/2004
Food on Foot has always been dear to me because I don't think anyone should ever be without the basic essentials needed for life: food, water and shelter. To be able to give someone food- something most of us take for granted- is a blessing that enriches me profoundly. Food on Foot has taught me humility, gratitude, love and hope.
Food on Foot's work program that you have created is my favorite because no longer are we just "alleviating a symptom" of hunger by feeding people, we are working to create a cure for the problem. They are learning responsibility and slowly becoming integrated into a structured routine. More importantly, they feel a sense of belonging- a sense of family.
Acknowledging their accomplishments every week and awarding prizes to those that have worked hard is an amazing way of making these people feel good about themselves and inspiring them to achieve more. To give these people an ounce of dignity back in their lives is priceless and a truly rewarding experience.
I recently had a beautiful experience at Food on Foot when we celebrated Ronnie Fairbanks 107th birthday! Wow! It was so terrific to have everyone (both volunteers and the homeless) sing Happy Birthday to him. He was just elated! You could tell how much it meant to him to have people acknowledge this MAJOR milestone in his life and to help him celebrate it. Having a card for him that everyone signed just made his day.
I'd hate to think of how he might have spent his birthday if he didn't have Food on Foot in his life, to make it special for him. That was a wonderful day for me. :)
-Lydia
Food on Foot's work program that you have created is my favorite because no longer are we just "alleviating a symptom" of hunger by feeding people, we are working to create a cure for the problem. They are learning responsibility and slowly becoming integrated into a structured routine. More importantly, they feel a sense of belonging- a sense of family.
Acknowledging their accomplishments every week and awarding prizes to those that have worked hard is an amazing way of making these people feel good about themselves and inspiring them to achieve more. To give these people an ounce of dignity back in their lives is priceless and a truly rewarding experience.
I recently had a beautiful experience at Food on Foot when we celebrated Ronnie Fairbanks 107th birthday! Wow! It was so terrific to have everyone (both volunteers and the homeless) sing Happy Birthday to him. He was just elated! You could tell how much it meant to him to have people acknowledge this MAJOR milestone in his life and to help him celebrate it. Having a card for him that everyone signed just made his day.
I'd hate to think of how he might have spent his birthday if he didn't have Food on Foot in his life, to make it special for him. That was a wonderful day for me. :)
-Lydia