Fighting Hunger One Family at a Time by Kaitlynn

Fighting Hunger One Family at a Time by Kaitlynn - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) is known for its fight against hunger. They thrive because of their dedicated volunteers, like me. I have volunteered at the FTB Tampa Bay Warehouse and numerous times at their Feeding Pinellas Trinity Café. At the warehouse, I helped by inspecting and packaging non-perishable goods. It was strenuous work, and my body ached afterward, but the sense of accomplishment after my shift was worth the physical toll. However, my lesson was not learned here, it was learned at the café.

I have held multiple positions at the café, including being a greeter, a server, and a busboy. Before every shift, we verbalized our acceptance for every person who would walk through the front door, despite their physical, mental, and financial state. As a greeter, I was the first to be exposed to these conditions, and I smiled warmly and welcomed them into the establishment, counting the number of people who entered. I saw healthy and unhealthy people, people with and without money, and dirty and clean people; it was always a diverse group, and this touched me deeply. I knew they all needed a good meal in their stomachs, whether that be their third or only meal of the day.

What surprised me about the experience was this assortment of people. I expected only homeless people to enter the café, but I learned what need looks like when I saw who was in attendance. Need is not a cookie-cutter concept, and volunteering through FTB has taught me that. In addition, I learned to be respectful and mindful of others who may not show me the same kindness.