Reflection from Gwen, University of Findlay

Who are we helping and how? The more I learn about Bridges out of Poverty and the more I think about my experiences with non-profits, the more I ask this question. I recently led a reflection with a group of international students who had volunteered at a Mobile Food Pantry here in Findlay as part of a Service-Learning course studying the Great Depression. At the Mobile Food Pantries, a truck from the West Ohio Food Bank delivers 10,000 pounds of food at about 7:30 on a Saturday morning at which point food is sorted and distributed by students. As we reflected on this experience, I informed the students that at 10pm the night previous, as I prepared the space, I saw 13 people in line to receive food for the next morning. The students became very vocal about their distress that some individuals had waited as many as 11 hours to receive not even a full grocery card of food. “How are we actually helping them if they are spending the night outside in line?” noticed one student.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about services offered to people living with poverty and how “helpful” they actually are. This Saturday morning time is very convenient for volunteers, but it is obviously not ideal for many of the individuals and families in need. Findlay is full of people ready to serve. Almost every community member I have met is either a part of a church group, civic organization, or a regular volunteer at a non-profit. Findlay is not lacking in volunteers. Unfortunately, I think sometimes the needs of the volunteers override the needs of the people being served. For many volunteers in Findlay, their volunteer work is what keeps them going. Many are retired individuals who get up in the morning because of this work. So, the agencies are serving not only those in poverty or their clientele, but the volunteers who invest so much in their work. Volunteers serve food to folks who need it, but what else is there? Will we perpetually serve food to folks who need it? I think so. But how will we do it? Where will we connect that missing link? How can we match the needs of people without enough food in a thoughtful and caring way with the equally strong needs of the human spirit to give and feel useful? I’d love to hear your ideas as I keep you updated on mine!