Volunteers of the Week
< View Other Voluteers of the Week
Noelle Pechar - 3/19/2006
FOF is an inspiring example of how a simple idea can have an enormous impact. Empowering the homeless to take pride in a job well done and to earn food vouchers and bus passes in exchange for their work is a first step toward enabling them to reclaim their lives, which is far more meaningful than a food hand-out alone.
What I like most about FOF is meeting the people the organization serves and hearing their stories. To hear people like Daniel and Charles share what they've been through and to see the obvious pride and gratitude they feel for where they are now is extremely moving. I also really like the award ceremony at the end of each serving, seeing people who have been so marginalized just light up when their name is called and everyone is clapping for them. We all take for granted how good it feels just to be recognized or validated or appreciated for something we've done, and the award ceremony is such a simple way to provide that for people who may not be receiving it anywhere else.
Volunteering with FOF makes me feel connected to the community, both by meeting and serving the homeless in my own neighborhood and by getting to know the other volunteers. My favorite experience so far was the week that I was on lollipop duty (walking up and down the food line handing out lollipops before the serving), because I got to have some sort of contact with almost everyone who showed up that day.
-Noelle
What I like most about FOF is meeting the people the organization serves and hearing their stories. To hear people like Daniel and Charles share what they've been through and to see the obvious pride and gratitude they feel for where they are now is extremely moving. I also really like the award ceremony at the end of each serving, seeing people who have been so marginalized just light up when their name is called and everyone is clapping for them. We all take for granted how good it feels just to be recognized or validated or appreciated for something we've done, and the award ceremony is such a simple way to provide that for people who may not be receiving it anywhere else.
Volunteering with FOF makes me feel connected to the community, both by meeting and serving the homeless in my own neighborhood and by getting to know the other volunteers. My favorite experience so far was the week that I was on lollipop duty (walking up and down the food line handing out lollipops before the serving), because I got to have some sort of contact with almost everyone who showed up that day.
-Noelle