Today was my first shift at Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento, an organization that serves meals to those that need them. The volunteer orientation last week left a great impression and I was excited to see how they feed 500-1000 people a few times a day. L&F were recently mentioned in a piece in The Atlantic by Christina Davidson, who is driving around the country on a recession road trip.
I arrived at 10.30am and was directed by someone in a vest to park right in front of some porta-toilets. Mistake #1: park somewhere (anywhere) else. Just because some guy wears a reflective vest doesn't mean he has a vested interest in your car. I wasn't that worried as most people are very respectful of the staff and volunteers there to help out, but it's a little disconcerting to look out at your car to see it surrounded by a bunch of people waiting to use the bathroom.
I wasn't sure where to go but luckily there were a bunch of other new people so got started with introducing ourselves. Just as you see all walks of life getting food, you see all walks giving it too. I met a woman who was recently laid-off and looking for some assistant teaching experience. One of Loaves and Fishes' programs is an accredited school called Mustard Seed. I can only imagine the challenges to educate school-age kids who live on the street.
One woman volunteer used to run her own catering company for 17 years. There wasn't a need to ask what happened to the business; her voice just trailed off when she said it. I asked if she was going to help out in the kitchen but she said that chefs are very territorial and she didn't think sharing a kitchen would be good for either.
Generally, there are about 5 different types of volunteers I've run in to:
* New to the area
* Laid-off or underemployed
* Retirees
* Community service obligations
* Just plain good people
There were about 30 volunteers total and about 10 paid staff who ran the show in the kitchen. And it was a hopping kitchen. You don't cook meals for 500 people in a small kitchen without having it organized and I was impressed with how fluid it ran.
I immediately signed up to serve desserts, something easy and fun. Who doesn't like dessert? This lasted all of 10 minutes as the woman running the show quickly changed my assignment to hosting. When I hear of hosts I think of Pat Sajak and Vanna White, so I started to look around for some parting gifts for the contestants. Surprise to me, the hosts primary job is to clean the tables pick up after the few who don't clean up after themselves, as well as get food for those who have a disability.
We started serving food around 11.30 and continued for about 2 hours. Tickets are given earlier in the morning and allow people to come at various times to avoid crowding. Approximately 400 came through the door, which is considered average for the start of the month. The numbers grow towards the end of the month as the checks run out. The time flew by and I had a lot of fun with the other volunteers and those getting food. You can't assume everyone that comes in for food is homeless, in fact you really can't assume anything. Some come in alone, sit by themselves, and avoid all contact. Others come in as a group and laugh and scream like you'd see in a high-school or college cafeteria. I try to start up a little conversation with some, just to hear how they are doing and what they think of the food. Most are in great form and very appreciative for the great meal and service.
One man brought in a child who was no more than 18 months old. They have a little high chair for children so he got to sit up and take it the whole scene. For such a small little guy, he made a gigantic mess for me. A woman joined them but I don't think it was the mother. They left towards the end and I held the door open as he pushed the stroller out.
What invariably cracks me up, and it was the same in Boston, is overhearing some crazy conversations. One guy was explaining to his friends that God only burned down one city,
Sodom and Gomora, and it was for one reason: homosexuality. I wasn't going to make mistake #2 and correct him that those are actually two cities and there is a lot of controversy about the whole thing. Some things are better left alone and I've never won an argument with a guy on the streets.
I'm going to take some photos of the food the next time I go. The served chimichangas today and they were both huge (size of my forearm, no joke) and delicious. They had every fixin': fresh guacamole, sour cream, slice of lime, hot pepper, as well as refried beans, rice, salad, fruit, and cookies.
I'm going to try to weasel my way into the kitchen some morning to see how they put these great meals together.
