As cliché as it might sound, volunteering at a soup kitchen can be a life changing experience and not only for those you are serving, but also for yourself as well.
Around a year ago, I began to volunteer at a soup kitchen in Bradford run by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (a religious community called to live amongst, listen to, care for, and support materially and emotionally, the poor and destitute with whom they choose to share their lives with). I didn’t really want to go, but my best friend has always had a strong passion for serving the homeless, so when I heard about this opportunity, I knew she would love it. For the first three months we would go together. I was convinced I was going because of her. I didn’t realise until she graduated and moved back to her hometown, was that I kept going back even without her because I LOVED IT. Something had changed within me.
The atmosphere wasn’t distant. It wasn’t transactional. There was a sense of family and the guests were welcomed in with open arms. Every time I’d put on my apron and started preparing the meal and the space for our guests to come, it wasn’t just about feeding hungry people - it was about offering them a sense of dignity and community, and for them to know that they are worthy, whatever their state of life.
Many times I’ve heard or read the passage in the bible that says “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40) but it wasn’t until I started to volunteer at the soup kitchen that serving food wasn’t just a practical need being met, it was a way to treat each guest with the same love and respect that Christ would show. It was meeting that basic human need for connection. We’re made for community, and we were offering it here at the soup kitchen. Most weeks, the meal itself is quite simple. However, you can really see how much the guests appreciate the effort, and are grateful for the simple things like a warm plate of soup, and a chance to chat. Realistically, homelessness often comes with a stigma that reduces individuals to stereotypes and a statistic. However when I took the time to sit with them and simply listened to what they had and wanted to share, I was so humbled. These are real people with real stories and real purpose in the world, and I enjoyed spending time in their company.
If you’re considering volunteering, make sure to sign up to the chaplaincy mailing list. Volunteering can help you appreciate the little things in life even more.
I’m ashamed to admit how many times I’ve overlooked the complexities of homelessness in my daily life because it was easier or more comfortable. However, it was in the simple act of sharing a meal with someone, that I saw the Gospel come alive. I’ve learnt so much from the guests that come to the soup kitchen, and I can see how the call to love and serve others isn’t just a nice idea; it’s something we’re meant to live every day. The words of St. Teresa of Calcutta kept coming to mind: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” It’s a reminder that no act of kindness is too small, and every gesture of love matters.
Carmen is a level 6 Primary Education Student at Leeds Trinity University.