My Experience at the House of the Harvest by Brandi

My Experience at the House of the Harvest by Brandi - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Community service has impacted my life physically and mentally throughout my years in high school. I have always enjoyed the feeling I’ve acquired after doing a good deed/service not only in my community but in my school. I realized that these experiences have changed my life. I have started to give back to the community, but the community has given me back something to: a new perspective on life.

Starting as a young volunteer helped me overcome some personal shortcomings, from overcoming shyness to knowing how to interact and deal with people and responsibilities. Far too often we take things for granted. I know that I have my fair share of concerns. Whether it be that I came from a stable home where I never had to wonder where my next meal was coming from, or that I had many things in life given to me, I may have been a little bit too spoiled.

Community service has opened my mind to new ways of thinking by giving me a purpose beyond my own self and my day to day life. Volunteering has instilled in me a desire to improve someone else's life. Volunteering gave me opportunities to learn how to manage projects, lead teams, do strategic planning, explore my training skills, and brainstorm for ideas that will make the world a better place. A couple of weeks ago, I volunteered at a local soup kitchen called House of the Harvest for the first time ever.

When I first got to House of the Harvest, I helped set up a table of canned foods for those who would need them. Once the set up was completed, I was able to bag the peoples groceries and take them to their car and ask if they needed a prayer. I also had the pleasure of meeting tons of new people, leading to many great conversations. It was truly great how much wisdom I gained by chatting with everyone who worked and who came into the soup kitchen. Working at House of the Harvest has by far been one of the best experiences I’ve had in my entire life. I felt like I have made a positive impact on others’ lives and that really is a hard feeling to beat.

And not only did serving those in need make me feel amazing, the people I had the pleasure to work with at House of the Harvest also contributed to an awesome experience. The team I got to work with was extremely positive and friendly. They led me into a good direction and let me contribute. And for that, I can't thank them enough. Here I was, living in America with a family that loves me and cares for me, focused on all that I cannot have, when there were people elsewhere, such as these elders who made the most of what they had. I was able to force my perspective on volunteer work as a way to better the community, not through simply the act, but the emotions that the act brings out in people.