Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Sandwich Mondays Feed Hungry People And Our Spirits


--by wolfhawk46, posted Aug 10, 2010

I am new to this group but not to the idea of helping others.  Funny thing is, I never really give helping others much thought, it is just something I do.  I am sure that most of those who find their way here are similar in nature and action.   The opportunities are all around us if we are open to them and not so caught up in our own routines.

That being said, my first post here is not about something that would raise eyebrows, elicit sighs or gain a round of applause.  It is just a simple thing but I hope that it brings comfort to many and lets the recipients know that there ARE people out here who care about them.

Following my aunt's death 5 years ago, I made a decision to hold on to her condo in the California desert .  It is a familiar and serene place for centering and reaffirming for me.  Most trips occur during school holidays and my young son, who is 12,  accompanies me.   I am fairly active in my faith community back east, sitting on The Board of Christian Outreach and as a founding member of Ripple of Hope (ripple-of-hope.org) which is a mission group working in an impoverished Mayan village in Guatemala.  

Part of our "vacation" when we are here is to participate in "Sandwich Mondays." Members of the congregation, my son and I go to a space that has been set aside by a local help organization and we put together sandwiches for the homeless and the working poor.  This program helps people in need because they get lunch as needed with no questions asked, but it also provides something to those of us offering up our time to help.  We come together , all ages, genders, races, sexual orientations, careers, backgrounds etc. as COMMUNITY, bound together by our desire to help those less fortunate than ourselves.  

My son, friends and I receive so much more than what we give. Any and all pretenses, labels and preconceived notions fall away and we get to know one another as people helping people.  We laugh, we cry, we share as we lay out the slices of bread, spread mustard or mayo, deposit the cold cuts or cheese or bag and stack the sandwiches.  We help others and in so doing, we help one another and ourselves renew the tie that binds us all, our humanity.  

This trip was no exception - the Sandwich Monday location moved but we were there this week and will continue to be there whenever we are in California. Those sandwiches feed more than hungry bellies, they feed spirits as well.

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Readers Comments

oldgirl wrote: What a great example you are seyting for your son wolfhawk46. I like it that you see helping others as just something that you do.
iferlamb wrote: Terrific! Thanks for sharing.

Smiles.
Jagdish wrote: Thanks a lot for nice work of feeding working poor you are doing along with your son. A person can for go all kind of comforts but cannot forgo two square meals. There is saying” if you want happiness and peace of mind makes others happy and restore peace of mind of others. ” i appreciate your concern about under privileged and way you have chosen to provide them immediate relief. You are also teaching and training your son the lesson of helping others. This can inspire others to do a similar thing.
Annie123 wrote: Most inspiring to me!
ellen Benedetto wrote: Does anyone know why the date is appearing as this week all of a sudden, when i wrote this quite some time ago? Curious.


Thank you all for your loely and encouraging comments
cabbage wrote: Welcome to our ho family!

So great to read your first post.

Thanks for sharing.
Aurelia wrote: Welcome! I love what I read! Thanks for sharing. I hope you continue to inspire us!
~Aurelia
heartofflesh wrote: Welcome to Helpothers ! Please write from your heart and inspire us with your stories.I am sure you will be a great blessing to us. We are deeply privileged to interact with people like you.
May God bless you !!!
wolfhawk46 wrote: Thank you - a friend linked a story from here to her facebook post which is how I fund it - very insiring
Bluebell wrote: I am pleased that the magic of kindness brought you here. Love and Light and a Thousand Smiles, Bluebell

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