His First Volunteer Experience #FEASTtogether
On Tuesday, Kade and I spent three hours volunteering at FEAST Together. The team was working on 200 meat loaves for their CSA program as well as families at the homeless shelter. I didn’t take nearly as many pictures as I would have liked, but that’s because our hands were busy and dirty most of the afternoon.
I think a highlight for Kade was chopping up about a dozen green peppers for the meat loaves. He was pretty proud of himself for using a real knife. I’ve never let him use a knife in the kitchen before (other than a butter knife) and probably wouldn’t have for awhile. He showed me that he’s capable of a lot more than I give him credit for.
He also helped mix up a vat of ketchup to top the meat loaves. The staff was so great about teaching him and involving him in every aspect of the process that if felt more like they were serving us instead of us serving with them.
At the end of our shift, the team took lunch orders and put together and outdoor feast using freezer meals they had on hand, plus a fresh salad, homemade ranch dressing, a pitcher of tea and chocolate pizzelles (an Italian cookie I grew up with) one of the other volunteers had brought in. We ate on the patio while Kade played with a set of plastic bowling pins and had a great conversation about homeschooling and of course – food.
As a family, it’s been a goal to find more frequent and regular opportunities to volunteer together. This was a great first experience with a program that we believe is doing great things in our community. In addition to the ways they are already providing for families in need, they are also enthusiastic about getting kids, families and the community involved in every aspect so that we can all work together. They didn’t see a six year old in the kitchen as a distraction or a burden. They saw him as a child eager to learn and serve and they nourished that the same way they are nourishing our community – thoughtfully and with great intentions.
We’re working to put together a homeschool volunteer day and we’re already looking forward to our next volunteer day as a family.
Have you found any great ways to volunteer as a family?
Love the pictures! Especially the one with the big vat of sauce!!
HA! Thanks. I wish I had taken more pics. He chopped up about 15 green peppers for the meatloaf and he was so proud that he got to use a real knife. I guess I need to up his responsibilities in the kitchen at home now
What fabulous life lessons for your kids!
Was so lovely to spend a little time with your cute self at Blissdom … hope to see you again soon!