Modest Mania

October 30, 2013

Nearly impossible to accept my shortcomings sandwiched between two social worker interns, like a slab of spam, waiting to be devoured. Collectively, we registered over 1100 families for a Thanksgiving turkey and the fixin’s, to be picked-up November 25^th between 9 and noon. Occasionally an incorrect directive spouts out of my mouth and one of the interns provides an accurate detail. I have no earthly idea where the faulty information comes from. Perhaps I am simply discerning whether the students are paying attention.

Shocking just how many of these individuals possess a phone number. Additionally they need to prove a legitimate address or housing and a photo ID, to obtain the substantial meal. It is quite an undertaking from the get-go, requesting donations from farmers, who are already struggling to make ends meet, local super markets, and cash gifts from those who can afford to give, to provide rations for most likely over 5,000 families in all. There are five more days of registration and a second location as well. The area, staged as a men’s dorm at night, for the gents who are in-between housing, is slammed with folks of all races, big and small, the majority voice their gratitude and “God Bless.” Cots are stacked on the far wall, cones deter the masses from running amok, tables and chairs greet the guests to sit and fill-in the simple registration form. I am humbled to silence in the aftermath of a mad three-and-a-half hour rush of food recipients. Once the intake is done, address verified and ID checked, they come to me (or my interns) and we double-check the data in our system, making corrections as necessary. I spew the details of pick-up day and wave the next person over.

People tend to choose the person who provides the most empathy. It is an interesting scene to witness. I am cheerful and engage the children, asking them about their Halloween costume and encourage them to return on the day of food collection. It will be a throng scene, I am sure. I invited my niece to join in the fray being on my squad of five volunteers. I will keep you in the loop.