“Thank you and God bless.”
These five words were shared with me countless times as I served food to hungry, impoverished, incredible people living in downtown Worcester.
Last weekend a few members of my fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, paired with WPI's Alpha Xi Delta sorority to serve people in need at a local food pantry called Mustard Seed. The opportunity was eye-opening to say the least.
I was initially unsure of what to make of the opportunity. I read the address and recognized it to be in the “sketchy” part of Worcester. I was nervous about the drive there, as well as the thought of leaving my car unintended on the side of the street. My ignorance pervaded in the moment—most of the people in the area likely didn’t own a car. The mere thought or worry of buying a car was probably the last thing that ever crossed their collective minds.
I complain a lot, a bit too much, about things that don’t matter. Trivial, unimportant things that many people would love to have the opportunity to be complaining about.
As we entered the doors to the food pantry, I was immediately taken aback by the overwhelming number of solemn, restless, apathetic faces that were posted around the tables throughout the room. It was disconcerting to see sadness, to see tiredness, to see helplessness, overcome the demeanor of dozens of people in a single house. My group entered the kitchen where we were given our tasks for the evening.
I take many aspects of my life for granted, a bit too many things, because I am unbelievably lucky. It’s about time that I look around and realize what matters.
The first individual to whom I served was an elderly man in an old plaid, button down shirt that was torn up profoundly, wrinkled khakis and worn out shoes. It’s cold out there, I thought, how does he do it? His face was just like the rest—tired, sad, empty. But something changed in his face when I handed him a plate with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, bread, and a cookie. Unbelievable. It lit up, it illuminated; it took the form of the most genuine smile that I have ever seen. “Thank you and God bless” came out of his mouth. Please don’t thank me, I thought, I should be thanking you. Every face that I saw, every line that was spoken to me, followed suit for the remainder of the night.
I’m lucky.
These people could teach me a thing or two about life. Whenever I worry about my phone dying on me, about my car running out of gas, about my missing winter hat...I should really take the time to stop and think. Wake up, kid. Does this matter? My problems are transient, my basic needs are accounted for. I am lucky. Many people aren't so fortunate.
It's time for a change. It's time to start giving back.
