Rescue Mission Blog

Saturday Night Feed

  

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Guest Blogger – Amelia Klein – Marketing & Communication Specialist

My position at The Rescue Mission can most easily be summed up as “Story Teller”. Staying in touch with what is happening at our various locations, and sharing these stories with our community of supporters, is both a challenge and a privilege. 

To research an article for our February newsletter, I spent the evening of January 24th at the Saturday Night Feed, which is held weekly at our Downtown Tacoma Campus, Good Neighbor Café.

I was truly impressed by the team of volunteers; they come in every Saturday to feed struggling community members who are in need of a warm meal. These volunteers, who looked to be anywhere from 14 to 70 years old, bring the food and manpower needed to serve more than 300 meals in just over an hour. Though they come from several area churches, they are driven by a common vision; to share the love of Jesus with hurting people in simple, practical ways. 

When I arrived, a compassionate woman named Sherry, who could put anyone at ease, welcomed me and provided an informal tour. Some volunteers were serving hot-dogs, others burgers, Korean stir-fry, tasty desserts, or bagged sandwiches.  There was even a band, called Streetlight, performing. Each group is part of a rotating schedule, coming in to serve on a regular basis.

The individual volunteers’ stories were striking. I spoke with a man named James who was homeless himself only months ago; he now serves alongside those who once served him. Brad spoke of his experience with foreign mission work, and his conviction to meet those same needs in his own backyard.

I was astounded to learn that some volunteers have been part of the Saturday Night Feed for nearly 15 years, since it started under the 705 bridge overpass. In recent years, a mutually beneficial partnership brought the Feed indoors at The Rescue Mission. Even more impressive, there is also a Friday Night Feed coordinated by volunteers. For the Rescue Mission, this saves resources and gives staff a needed break, while guaranteeing that anyone can still receive a warm, healthy meal at the Good Neighbor Café on Friday and Saturday nights.

Inspiring and grateful are the words that come to mind when I reflect on my visit to the Saturday Night Feed. I was inspired and challenged to consider what I could do to serve those in need in our community. To the Friday and Saturday Night Feed volunteers, I wish to extend my gratitude; your service powerfully demonstrates that humble, persevering love makes a difference for those in need. 

• To view the February Newsletter in which the original SNF article ran – click here.
• Visit our Volunteer Hub to learn about Rescue Mission volunteer opportunities.
• You can provide a meal for as little as $2.42 – visit our Donation Page to learn how.

4 ways to prepare for kindness

  

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Kindness doesn't just happen, you've got to decide to be kind, and I think, to prepare for it.  

Here's four ideas on how to prepare yourself to be kind:

1. Be soft hearted.  Imagine, a book by Jonah Lehrer, documents that happy people are more creative, that they are better problem solvers, and that this can be proved by science.  Hardening your heart has a ripple affect of negative consequences.  You can’t get hurt, but you can’t feel either.  You can’t see possibilities, potential, solutions, and a bright future. 
2. Put others before yourself.  In the world of addiction, there is a constantly underlying attitude of self-interest.  What’s in it for me?  What about my needs?  Me, me, me.  But it's not just the the world of addiction, it's the world we live in generally.  Instead put others in front of yourelf.
3. Speak kind words.  So many people think that kindness is giving gifts; it involves sacrifice, or some grand gesture.  The truth is that a timely kind word is so important and there is nothing better.
4. Kindness under pressure.  So often we don’t act in kindness because we have things on our mind.  Our problems and challenges are overwhelming us.  What are some of the enemies of kindness?  Cynicism, busyness, insensitivity, impatience.  Yet it’s when we are most under pressure that it is needed most.   

The ripple effects of kindness

  

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Recently while traveling in Ireland, I was interested in golfing an unscheduled round of golf.  When I arrived at the clubhouse it was closed and I was discouraged because I had wanted to schedule the round for early the next morning and thought I might lose out of the limited opportunity to get to play.  Yet while i was standing outside the clubhouse, a member walked by and asked if he could help.  He took me into the members clubhouse and connected me with someone who could answer some questions for me and get me on the right track.  Finding out that I wasn't traveling with clubs, the member offered to loan me his, and another member joined in and offered a set for my son.  Within 5 minutes, three people I had never met had been kind to me, and it was so much fun.  My son and I ended up getting in an early round of golf on the next morning and had a great time at the Curragh Golf course, the oldest in Ireland.

When you do something kind, whether in word or deed, to another person you are causing a chain reaction of goodness.  Like a metal bar struck against a rock, it vibrates throughout a persons whole being and isn't easily forgotten. 

Most of us can remember a small kindness done to us years ago, even how it felt.  Yet we consistently underestimate the power of kindness when we are moving throughout our day.  Use your imagination and magnify your power to impart good things to others.  

Is there some small gift you can give to another today?

Can you notice the work of others today?

Can you connect with those serving and assisting you today; at the store, restaurant, DMV, or Doctor's office?

Can you take the time to look others in the eye and listen when interacting with them?  

There are so many little ways to make an impact.  Whatever you do today, take the time to be kind.  It won't soon be forgotten.

David Curry