Giving Back
Ever since this past August I have been doing my best at going downtown on Sunday afternoons and helping out with the preperation and serving of a dinner for the homeless and indigent at St. Patricks Cathedral. This is something I REALLY enjoy doing. You see I was in hospital for a bit last July and when I got home my cousins Jacquie and Barry, who have run this dinner for more than five years, sent two HUGE boxes of staples to my house to help me get on. This dropped my jaw. I didn’t know how to say thank you so I instead told them I would come and help out. Now don’t get me wrong, as much as I love doing this there are times I can’t. A couple of weeks ago the EAGLES played at 3pm and the STEELERS were on at 7pm so that particular Sunday I wasn’t there. 
There has been a few more like that too. Ok, so I’m not an angel but I try and try some more.
We all show up at 1500 and get to work. I find it fun because it’s just kitchen work. Geez! It’s only one day a week! The main meal comes from the local food bank and usually needs only a bit of preparation. My cuz Jacquie sometimes does alot of the prep ahead of time. She’s too cool! So we cook the meal, prepare coffee, tea and 10 gallons of, “Beverages”,. That’s what I’m in charge of. We’ve got some killer Iced Tea and a mess of either Lemonade or Orange drink. We can change up the drinks each week because of donations from people and companies. One of the coolest parts of the setup is setting out the bread that is donated by local bakeries and resaurants.
My Dear Readers… this is some GREAT bread!!!
Alright so at 1700 we open the doors and most days we get busy right off. Folks come streaming in for the next hour. sometimes I have to wonder if this is their best meal of the week. There are characters and normal folks as well as those you would expect. I keep the beverages flowing and others keep the food going. Sometimes it gets hectic but the folks helping out are banging good and things always run smoothly.
This is the kinda’ thing that even after I win the lottery for a gidzillion bucks I shall still go and help out with. Why?
I really do enjoy it and anyways it’s my way of giving back.
We have all had hard times in one way or another as I have so I would like to think we all do this kinda’ thing.
Do you?
It does make one feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I go down to the old folks home every other weekend and have a good ol’ time with the folks. There’s one old fella that tells me about his experiences in the Korean War. Some of these stories are very explicit! He is hilarious and the time flies by. Every Sunday morning, they get all dressed up and excited hoping that someone will come to visit. They rarely do. That’s a fecking shame man!
But, don’t get me started on charitable certificates. That’s bullshite!
Good for you, Brian. There’s a lot of receiving done in giving too!
I’ve got a new post up ito what people can do to help Angela, if you want to take a look. I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for people to try and give things a nudge.