A Meal to Remember

Are you still wondering about the gift?

The surprise was a gift certificate to Twice as Nice. I had $15.00 to spend and on my tight budget, that was an awful lot. All day I anticipated what I might find. Imagine my delight when I saw this sign on the door. . .

Sadly, the store closed just as I arrived. I would have to wait another day to shop. It was close enough to 5:00, and I had already spent the money to drive into town, so I decided to stay and attend the meal program held at St. Albans Church. As I approached the door my heart starting racing. I wished I was there as a volunteer.

I knew there would be people. I knew there would be many people. Still, I was astonished to see them. There were no empty tables, and I felt agitated planning where I might sit once I made it through the line. What struck me was that the large majority were men. This made finding a seat even more problematic. I also didn't want to be standing there, awkwardly looking around. I already felt like every eye was on me.

I had every intention of striking up a conversation. I had played the scenario in my mind to the "Why are you here" question. "I'm having a tough week." Really? I'm having a tough life. No one asked. It really didn't matter why I was there.

It was obvious that most of the people knew each other by name. There was a sense of community within most of the group, although the odd argument would also surface from time to time. I was surprised to hear all the laughter. A young man teasing an older man about his grey hair, and the older man ridiculing the younger mans' lack of wisdom, to bursts of laughter from the tables. At one point, someone spilt their chips while walking, garnering a great deal of razzing from the group. I saw a man give an entire pocketful of change to another. I saw another man eat the food off someone else's plate, but refused to get his own. I overheard someone trying to urge a young fellow to stop using drugs. I saw one man take his burger to go, saying it was for his niece. Some people were very quiet, while others could hardly stop talking long enough to eat, talking to the voices in their minds.

The meal was cheeseburgers, salad, and chips. There were also little bowls placed on each table filled with chocolate hearts. The burger was indescribably delicious. It was hot, the patty was substantial, and it was much better than the leftovers the rest of the family was eating at home. To be honest, I felt a little guilty having a better meal, but I knew a situation like this would be upsetting for my girls. Once seated, I had to force myself to eat slowly. I was so hungry I could have devoured the burger in seconds, but the pace of the others was obviously un-rushed. There wasn't a lot of conversation, just a lot of smiles.

I left inspired by the important work that is carried out in that space, week after week. It is so much more than food. It is an opportunity to be together. Although their troubles may be complex and many, I believe that the people who are being fed truly feel cared about when they are given a hot meal. I am so grateful for all the people who make little miracles like this happen. To the Coordinators of Helping Hands, to the staff and students at St. Thomas Aquinas School who lovingly donated and prepared the meal, and to those very special volunteers who serve the food and wash the dishes afterwards, my most sincere thanks. It was a meal I will never forget.

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." ~Charles Dickens