Day 158

I was back at the Salvation Army this evening. There were about eight other volunteers helping out today, mostly kids, teens, and a pregnant lady who is due this Friday!!

One of the parents told me she brought both her kids so that they could learn to be responsible and learn to give back to their community. So they helped out with serving, cleaning trays, wiping down tables, and mopping! They are all regulars there and knew where everything was and what needed to be done.

Today we served barbecue chicken, green beans, potatoes, corn bread and sweet tea. And when that ran out there was pizza.

I saw the guy who is transitioning out so spoke to him for a few minutes. He told me he was pretty close to getting a job in a kitchen and he was really looking forward to it.

I had another good volunteering experience here and will be back the next time I'm in town!

Day 157

I'm in Augusta for a few days so I volunteered with the Salvation Army soup kitchen this evening. When I walked in the chef came over with a big smile to welcome me back. He's really hospitable! And makes it fun so you feel like going back to help out.

Today we served mac n cheese hamburger helper with garlic bread and salad. It wasn't as crowded as I remember. The chef told me that was because it's the beginning of the month and people still had their cheques.

I asked about one of the guys who used to stay there and who used to volunteer in the kitchen. He has graduated the program and is in the process of tranisitioning out - I'm so glad for him! He's a great person and hopefully this will be the start of a new life for him.

Day 90

It was haircut day at the Salvation Army today. We served dinner first, in the usual manner. There was rice, meat gravy, corn. Once that ran out we served pizza, which was really popular! Luckily we had a lot, so people were able to come back to get as much as they wanted. One gentleman had his tray stacked! We still had left overs, so I packed it all and gave it to a family with four little kids.

The men and women then disappeared for their haircuts. Students from the local technical college cosmetology program came down to volunteer their time and talent - everyone was really appreciative. However,I didn't get to see any of the haircuts because we were cleaning up in the kitchen. Each day there are a group of guys, living at the shelter, who help out in the kitchen with serving and cleaning. They are a fun, loud, and hardworking group. It was the last day for one of the guys, he has successfully completed his program and is moving to Florida next week, so in honor of that the chef cooked him a nice meal. Because people are staying there for several months in their programs they really build a sense of family, and this comes through in their interactions with each other.

At the end of the evening I said my goodbye's and promised to visit the next time I come to Augusta. I had a good two days here and am looking forward to my next visit!

Day 89

I spent some time at the Salvation Army's Soup Kitchen in Augusta this evening. Today we served barbecue chicken, beans, potatoes with gravy, and cornbread. Like last time, people staying at the shelter ate first. The doors were then opened up for people who weren't staying there. We served the same meal till we ran out, and then changed to chicken stew and cornbread. I saw a couple of familiar faces from last time, was remembered by some, and then met a bunch of new people! Of course, this makes me miss my friends at SafeHouse!

The full-time chef/kitchen coordinator was there today. He told me a little bit about the shelter and the different programs they have. It's primarily an alcohol and drug program, but there is also a program to help people learn work skills and find a job. People in those programs stay at the shelter for 9 or 6 months respectively. For people not staying at the shelter - they can come have a free meal for a certain number of days a month, after which they have to pay $5 for a meal.

It was a good experience again and I am looking forward to going back tomorrow evening!

Day 62

I volunteered in Augusta this evening. I went to the Salvation Army here which has a soup kitchen every evening. They serve three meals a day to the people staying at the shelter, and in the evenings they open up to anyone else who would like to have a meal there. So I was the only volunteer today, but there were three staff members present (they are always there and two live at the shelter).

I did all the serving today. For the people who live at the shelter (they eat before the doors are opened for everyone else) there was corn dogs and fries. The men ate first, once they left the dining area the women and children ate. The dining room was then cleaned and the "soup kitchen" started. We served rice and a meat and vegetable gravy, along with corn bread. Once everyone was through eating, I helped clean up.

The highlight of my evening: Towards the end of the soup kitchen a family with four little kids came in. The kids were adorable! They kept telling me how much they enjoyed the food and all four of them came back for seconds. I look forward to going back the next time I'm in town!