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Meg Van Steenburgh

Our graduates keep making a difference in the lives of others in their families and communities.

I went to a Soup Kitchen in Hartford, Ct. that served clients who came in off the streets. It is sponsored by my work. I worked with four other volunteers. I was the only one from my company, the other volunteers came as part of a senior citizen group and one from another company. We did most of the set-up, cutting up bread, pre-pouring juices, etc. Then we served them.

The clientele were pleasant and came from all walks of life; some I knew could not afford a hot meal because of the price of medications, others were there because of psychiatric illnesses and others were alcoholics. I felt happy and honored because by volunteering my time the kitchen could afford to provide them with at least one hot meal for the day. It also provided them with a warm place and a place to socialize. They were all gracious and demonstrated dignity.

I was also saddened I did not have time to talk with them to learn more about them. I have to admit I initially was angered by some of the remarks made by an elderly volunteer because of her preconceived conceptions of the clientele, yet learning more about her I could not be upset. This person is a retired teacher who spends most of her time volunteering with different groups of people. To the client's face she is pleasant and respectful. I felt I had learned a lot by both the clientele and the persons serving them.

I felt good to be giving back something of myself and felt more of a desire to want to do more, but next time within my home town. I kept wondering what is the situation like an a smaller town and how are the groups aiding them.

Benefits include: My supervisor has agreed to set me into a cycle to assist the soup kitchen. Also, it has opened my eyes to other areas within my universe with a desire to learn and do more.

Meg Van Steenburgh (Team 273)

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