Serving with a Smile (LUNCH) at Room in the Inn (2023-24)

My direct service benefitted the broader community, because I was able to provide a meal for those in need. Worrying about putting food on the table is something no one should have to do. Each family there is always grateful to the volunteers and cook. Serving with a smile always has an impact on me; it makes me feel grateful for what I have and also grateful that I am able to help people who need me. This time I got to go serve with three of my close friends, which helped everything to go faster in the kitchen and create a more efficient and cohesive environment. When there are lots of helping hands, it makes it easier and more fun for everyone. I will be back to serve with a smile, because I especially feel for the stressed mothers with kids who need good food to grow strong and want to help them in any way I can.

For my service on March 25, I volunteered at Room In The Inn here in Memphis, Tennessee. My service benefited the members of the broader community because I was serving meals to the less fortunate people in the community. The population I served was the people who were staying in Room in the Inn. The residents did not have the most positive reaction to me being there. They all didn’t acknowledge me serving them food, but it did not hurt my feelings. A skill that I was able to improve was my non-verbal communication skills. Although the residents did not acknowledge me, I still smiled at them. Body language can sometimes show more emotion than words themselves. I worked individually during my service. There weren't many people in the kitchen, so all of the volunteers were assigned to one job. This impacted my experience because it was testing my own efficiency. My service did align with my personal beliefs. I believe that volunteering is very important, especially when you are helping others. Every time I attend Serving With a Smile, I am helping others. Helping others has helped me appreciate life and everything that I have been given in life.