Everyone needs help sometimes

I have been volunteering my time at the VOA food bank in Everett. Although I have not been able to log much time yet due to some miscommunication with the food bank, I have already learned a lot from this experience. The anticipation of beginning, if nothing else, has caused me to think about what I would take away from this experience. My everyday job is considered a "service" as I am a care manager (CNA) for an assisted living facility. I chose to do something different for my service learning project because I already have had many chances to reflect on my work with the elderly and wanted a new opportunity to grow in my service to the community. From this experience, my greatest learning has come from realizing that all types of people are in need at one time or another in their life.

Working as a nursing assistant, I am able to help people at the end of their life, when their physical and mental abilities are limited. Many of the people I help have had very successful lives, but are now at a stage where they need help from others more. Spending time at the food bank has made me realize this is just another group of people who need some help at this stage of their life. Everyone needs help sometime and it is not my place to judge why. The families I have seen come into the food bank are of all shapes and sizes, all races and religions, and all ages. Especially in our current economic times, these are people who are just grateful to have a little help.

In conclusion, I am able to relate with the people who visit the food bank because this is a place my family got food from for a short time of a my childhood. I am so happy that there are people willing to help others no matter which stage of life they are at.