Why do I volunteer? It’s fulfilling. But not exactly in the way I’d hoped…

I coordinate Makor’s monthly commitment to help with food prep at God’s Love We Deliver, which serves nutritious and surprisingly delicious meals to people with AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. They’re people who might otherwise die of malnutrition or starvation, if not for the two meals a day God’s Love brings them.

Whenever I volunteer, I’m always struck by the diversity of the people who show up to peel potatoes or chop carrots with me. Old and young. Gay and straight. Married, single, divorced and widowed. Professional, retired and unemployed. There’s a matter-of-factness with which they approach their commitment to helping people they will likely never know, and to providing a service that, God willing, neither they nor anyone they love will ever need. It seems so selfless for them—us—to give their time so freely to ensure someone somewhere will eat.

But what drove me to volunteer wasn’t so noble. It was the social (read: dating) possibilities! About three years ago when I moved to the City, a friend told me that when she lived in Manhattan, she’d met and dated a guy at a soup kitchen. So, I signed up! Of course, God’s Love We Deliver isn’t really a soup kitchen, per se. But hey, the very first time I volunteered there, some TV show was on-site doing a story about looking for love in philanthropic places. Has it worked out? Well, no—not that way, anyway. I’m still single. But I’ve met some great people and had a surprisingly good time cutting up (pun intended) in the kitchen.

And I have to say, what keeps me volunteering isn’t the hope that Prince Charming will turn up at the cutting board next to mine. It’s the great feeling I have when my volunteer shift is up and I’m tired from three hours of focused effort—but in a good way. I’m full of pride in humanity, having worked side by side with other regular folks who turned up, rain or shine, to help. And, no matter what happens the rest of the day, there’s a tremendous, continuous joy in knowing I did some good that day. It’s fulfilling, plain and simple.
-Donnell Brown

The next Makor date for God’s Love We Deliver is Sunday, March 25. Interested in volunteering? Here’s more information on all of the programs offered by Makor Community Service.