At the drop in centre
By Joanie
@Freelanzer (10745)
Canada
March 17, 2018 5:04pm CST
I was serving food and clearing tables yesterday during my volunteer time at the homeless shelter. I was actually working at the drop in centre of the shelter. People can come in out of the cold have a cup of coffee, play games or read. My shift started about 1 hour before the lunch rush so volunteers take this time to chat with the visitors. This is the part I enjoy the most.
Then it is lunch time and most people get a ticket and line up for their meals. There are some people who aren't able to stand in line and those we serve at their tables. As they eat we clear tables of empty dishes. What I found is that many of the diners left the salad behind which as far as I was concerned was the most delicious looking thing on the plate.
Not everyone who come to the drop in centre are homeless. There are those who just come for a meal because they can't afford it. Everyone I served was very polite saying “thank you” when I cleared their dishes. They were very interesting to talk to and many of the conversations were uplifting rather than depressing.
Afterwards we were able to go to the staff room and have a meal. Of course I only had water as it was not my kind of meal. It was a rewarding experience and I think I got the hang of busing tables.
Have you ever worked in a restaurant?
Have you ever volunteered at a homeless shelter?
Have you ever been in a homeless shelter?
13 people like this
14 responses
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
17 Mar 18
all of that. you are very kind and the kind of person we need more of in todays world. they may have left some of the food if it happened to be a bit harder to chew. many don't have good teethe in that position.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
Thank you. Good point about the left over food. Never thought of that but it makes sense.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58140)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
17 Mar 18
I worked at a old folks home and at a Dennys
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
It was my first time serving food and clearing tables in a public setting and I can now have a greater appreciation all those who do it for a living.
@snowy22315 (169973)
• United States
17 Mar 18
I have worked in a restaurant. I have never volunteered or been in a homeless shelter, but I have thought about volunteering more than once. There aren't any close to here really.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
Distance can be a problem. I too wanted to do this for awhile but seems all the shelters are concentrated in the heart of the city and I live a good drive away.
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Mar 18
I worked in a restaurant when I was young. Also as a cocktail waitress. I did volunteer in a homeless shelter too. Very rewarding work. I lived in a homeless shelter for several days back when I left my ex. I was so thankful to have a place to go.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Mar 18
@Freelanzer .......Yes, and just had some bad things happen.
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
18 Mar 18
That's a great story and so wonderful that gave back. My experience made me understand that the people there are just like you and me and yes it is rewarding work.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
18 Mar 18
I don't know if we even have a homeless shelter here and I've never been to one at all. Never worked at the restaurant too.
But it's wonderful that you could do that and you could volunteer.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
18 Mar 18
Unfortunately we find these homeless shelters more in the so called developed countries like Canada and the US which is sad. I
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
17 Mar 18
No, no, and no.
Glad you were able to help all those that were there.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 May 18
Being able to have those type of places is a Blessing whether a person is homeless, or even for those who might not always be able to have food, but have jobs and a place to live. I have been in one, volunteered in some, and ate at some when needing extra food.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
19 May 18
It is a blessing indeed and the people using the center are just like any one of us.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
Mine would have been the same had I been asked a week ago.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48964)
• United States
21 Mar 18
I worked in a child care center and served food to the children.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
18 Mar 18
It is sad that we even need these shelters in a country with so many resources but we do and the volunteers make a big difference
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
18 Mar 18
I found the shelter is not a scary place as many people think. I also found out that the job of a waitress is not easy,
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74569)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Mar 18
This is a wonderful volunteer job, I'll bet it's very rewarding to help these people receive an afternoon meal. I worked in an assisted living home, for three years.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
It is and they are so thankful for the service
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74569)
• East Tawas, Michigan
18 Mar 18
@Freelanzer My sister did this at a homeless shelter, in Wisconsin.
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
18 Mar 18
We shouldn't have this problem on developed countries but we do and it is sad.
1 person likes this
