Day 186

It was one of those days where I just wanted to do nothing after work, but eventually convinced myself to go help out at Kashi. A volunteer friend was there too which made the evening go by really quick.

I helped with making the bags. A simple task which meant lots of time to socialize and time to not think about anything at all in between the socializing.

Hoping the folks at the shelter enjoy their snack bags!

Day 179

I don't think I've been this tired in a while! There's so much going on each day and it seems to be getting just a little more difficult to go out everyday to volunteer. I'm really really thankful to everyone who has been able to cover for me and keep the project going!! I would not have made it this far without you.

Today I made it back to Kashi to help with their street meals program. It was nice going back and it really didn't feel like that long since my last visit there. As usual, there was lots of conversation around the table: dating, July 4th plans, restaurants, music, books (The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - one of my favorites, strongly recommend it).

I think I'm back there next week, and I'm sure it will be as much fun as today was.

Day 151

Back to making PBJ sandwiches at Kashi Atlanta today. There were so many volunteers there this evening - we made 300 sandwiches in 30mins! Conversations went from introductions, to jobs, to blind dates.

A good evening of volunteering :)

Trying out a new place tomorrow...a little nervous, but really looking forward to it

Day 130

I went to Kashi this evening to help out. Smaller crowd, but good conversation with a fellow volunteer while making PBJ sandwiches. We talked about our weekends and the different things we did. He told me about a place close by, Lake Claire Community Land Trust, that had a music festival of sorts.

So after volunteering we checked it out. It's a a neighborhood that has community gardens, farms, a lake, a place to hang out, things for kids to do, and a great view of the city skyline. They also hold events every couple of weeks. It's a really neat spot and definitely a community that is very environmentally friendly! The Land Trust was created entirely by volunteers and they have on going volunteer opportunities. Definitely one I hope to check out soon!

Day 109

It was a quieter night at Kashi today, even with the many volunteers. I helped put together bags: napkins, juice, crackers, and a PBJ sandwich. Once again, about 300 sandwiches in less than an hour! There was a group of GA Tech students there this evening who were part of a club called Circle K. They basically do different service projects in the community throughout the year. It's fun volunteering with them because you meet a lot of people from different backgrounds, with different interests. Makes for a good night of volunteering!

Day 102

I went back to Kashi this evening and helped make PBJ sandwiches. There was a smaller group of volunteers this evening, including a few children, so it was quieter than usual. We went through 25 loaves of bread, 4 big tubs of peanut butter, and 2 big cans (industrial size) of jelly in an hour. All the sandwiches are taken to the shelter (where some of my SafeHouse friends stay) tomorrow morning.

While working, a couple of us chatted about clubs and lounges in the city. I told them about my favorite spot, Sutra, of course. We talked about music and food and festivals in the park. I learned about some local coffee shops in the area. Overall, a very relaxed evening of volunteering :)

Day 81

Kenny and I volunteered at Kashi today and helped with the street meals program. There were so many volunteers today and the assembly line was crowded! There were some regulars tonight and we were all shocked with the number of volunteers! I got to help with putting the sandwiches in ziploc bags and Kenny helped with filling brown bags.

Kashi has a program to teach others how to lead yoga classes; part of that training is a day of service with the street meals program. So a lot of the volunteers there today were from the yoga training. They all teach yoga part time and work full time jobs in their respective fields. There were also a couple of high school kids helping out, so the conversations in the room were very random!

Kenny - thank you for coming out to help on your birthday!!

Day 74

It was another PBJ night at Kashi Atlanta, and I was back at the peanut butter station (thank goodness!). There were a lot of volunteers there tonight, including a small group from GA Tech. Today's conversations: the properties of peanut butter and possible ideas for a peanut butter spreading machine; the benefits of a TI 89 calculator; the formula for calculating volume of a cylinder (this was to help a sixth grader with his homework); and the many research projects this group of students were working on. They definitely made the night interesting!

Day 67

Working from home combined with this weather made it really difficult to get out and volunteer today. I almost stayed in but then saw links to the blog on my sister-in-law's gmail - that was about all the encouragement and motivation I needed. So I headed to Kashi Atlanta in the evening to go make PBJ sandwiches.

I was at the jelly station today - hadn't done this before, and think I'm going to try stick with the peanut butter next time. Thankfully, most of the jelly went on the sandwich and very little on me - apparently that takes some skills. Most of the volunteers there tonight were regulars, so we all chatted and had a good time. We were talking about Hindu names and some of the volunteers there told me that they were given Hindu names from joining Kashi. I found this intriguing and also learned that many of the Kashi followers also follow Hinduism. One of the volunteers was singing a hymn and knew more of it than I did!

It was a good night, and I'm definitely enjoying it a lot more now that I've gotten to know some of the other volunteers. Looking forward to going back next week.

Punitabhabhi - thank you for giving me the motivation I needed to get out tonight!!

Day 53

I went to Kashi Atlanta this evening to help with the Street Meals Program. I did the peanut butter again (probably my favorite step in the process). We started off with just four volunteers but each of us were really efficient at our spot so things were moving along nicely. By the end of the evening there were about ten volunteers and the pace really picked up. We got done with all the sandwiches in an hour!

The group of volunteers there were a fun bunch. We spent the hour working but also getting to know each other, the evening was filled with laughter and good energy. Till next time...

Day 46

This evenings volunteering was at the Kashi Atlanta Street Meals Program. I was surprised that there weren't as many volunteers as I usually see here, but the group of people there were very energetic and efficient! I packed the lunch bags today: snack, juice, and a sandwich. The best part of it - I had a 5year old helper! He did great! He had a 5year old's energy but stayed on task and did everything perfectly. His mum told me that she brings both her sons to help out whenever she can and that the 5year old really enjoys coming out to help. I've seen young kids here each night I've volunteered with Kashi and it really is a wonderful kid-friendly opportunity!