Jessica and Manna

     Today was our first day volunteering. We woke up around 6:45, got ready and took the subway to our destinations. My group went to Manna of Life to help make lunches for people who couldn't afford it. When we got there, the people at the hostel were so thankful we were there. They were short handed and when 17 of us showed up they were absolutely ecstatic. They told us we were "miracles."(: We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and tuna fish sandwiches and then put them into paper bags with juice and some fruit. People young and old came in and got a cup of soup and a lunch bag. It was such a rewarding experience to see the smiles on their faces when they received something as simple as a cup of soup. They would respond with a warm smile and a "thank you" or a "God bless you." A couple of people came in and actually had conversations with us. One man in particular told us how he was working and then got fired because they were hiring newer, younger employees. He started going to Manna of Life every Saturday to get lunch and now he is working for a charter school. He said he never appreciated money and his old job when he had it. Now that he knows what its like to lose everything he appreciates all that he has. He told me he's at work an hour early every morning because his job is important to him. He kept telling us "everyone has a story," and whether its a good or bad story its still our story and we should share it.
      I find it so ironic that these people who dedicate every Saturday to helping people in need, could call us miracles when they are miracles themselves. As soon as we walked through the doors you could tell these people were good-hearted, wonderful people and well, miracle workers. Mirna the Vice President of Manna of Life Ministries was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. Talking to her made me feel like the laziest person in the world. She has a family to take care of and a little granddaughter who she loves. She worked until almost midnight the night before and then came in at 6:00 Saturday morning so she could make soup. It was such an amazing experience, that made me think about what I'm doing with my life. Today also made me really appreciate what I have and realize how lucky I actually am.
-Jessica Schell

Mandy: Everyone is Human

            My day started off with volunteering my time to Manna of Life Ministries.  At first it was just their staff and our group of 20 some volunteers causally chatting and making the sandwiches to give out.  Then, the service really started.  I stayed back at the Manna House to help give out sandwich bags and soup cups to the people who arrived at the house.  Most were from the homeless shelter across the street and knew the Manna Staff personally.  The staff introduced us and the homeless shared their stories.  For instance, this one man actually was not homeless at all and still came.  He was at one point, homeless, after losing his job.  Then after a long and hard job search, he obtained a job in a school and started to provide for himself again.  He still shows up to Manna every Saturday to keep himself grounded and to remind himself of how fortunate he is.

            Hearing his stories and more really made an impact on me.  By listening to these people, I was able to empathize with them and see them as actual humans and not just homeless people.  I could humanize and connect with them.  This service day was unlike any other I have experienced yet.  Usually after volunteering I feel good about myself because I helped out a person and made their day better.  But after this day, I feel accomplished instead of pride.  I feel like just by listening to them actually made a difference in their lives and made them feel better.  I believe by that connecting with the people who need help is more important to their well beings than just providing the necessities to them. 

   -Mandy 

We started our day taking the train to Manna's Life of Ministries. Walking through the doors, the room was filled with love and compassion. I instantly felt the love and warmth of the people around me. We were ready to make a change. I decided to go with Mike and Cindy to an out reach and serve at local gas stations and a homeless shelter. Being in the car with Mike and Cindy,I really saw how much they loved serving. They made it a daily routine to save lives. Going through the different locations, I was baffled by the way people just like me were living. Even though they were struggling , they had a glimpse of hope in their eyes when they saw us coming. Their smiles brought me so much inspiration. I never knew I could ever make an impact on someones life ,especially someone I barely knew.The greatest highlight of my day was when we went to the homeless shelter. As we were out in the rain, handing out sandwiches and fruit a homeless man approached us. We gave him the food and he thanked us back with a word of wisdom. "You are the future," he said. He told us that we are the ones that will change the future , the ones that will make the world a better place for people like him. Those words will stay with me forever. A man who was in great need of love and motivation was the one motivating us.

-Sara

Manna of Life Ministries Outreach

Today, my group volunteered at Manna of Life Ministries in the Bronx. We made and packaged lunches with sandwiches, apples, bananas, and juice. After we finished making the bagged lunches, a smaller group went out and distributed them at three different sites. Two of these sites were gas stations and the other was at a halfway-house. I was really surprised at how many people we served in such a short amount of time since it was cold and raining. I guess it just goes to show how desperately some people need basic amenities like something to eat or drink and how important organizations like Manna of Life Ministries are in providing services to those in needs. One of the staff at Manna of Life Ministries was telling the group about how important volunteering is. He said that so many people think they're going to change the world but never do. The only way to change the world, he said, is to start small - whether it's in our own school, our own hometown, or even in someone else's community. Making a change in your everyday relationships will have a ripple effect. If you treat others kindly and do good for them, they will be inspired to be kind and do good deeds for others. In this way, a single person can make a huge difference. I saw that all of the people we served and all of the staff at Manna of Life Ministries really appreciated our presence there and our willingness to act on behalf of others. One man even remarked to a group of my friends and I, "The world needs more people like you."

-Kimberly