Today we went to the food depository of the greater Chicago area. The experience was both eye-opening, intriguing and gratifying. With two other school organizations we were able to package 2,941 bags of delicious cornflakes for needy families in the area. It was rewarding to know that in our short time there, we were able to make an impact on many families in the area. The food depository is primarily dependent on volunteers and without the support of the community it would be difficult to continue operating. The volunteers we worked with were from diverse backgrounds. Unbeknownst to us, one of the volunteers was previously homeless and her background was a story of perseverance and strength. Currently employed as a coordinator in a local high school, she now gives back to the community by encouraging service from her students.
After we left the depository, we roamed the city and encountered several homeless individuals. We empathized with these individuals, because our very purpose is to help them. Each of them has a story yet they go untold. Travelers and locals alike often view these unfortunates as an aspect of city life rather than people in need. This is the sad reality of life in the inner city, but sometimes we can only hope that every cornflake makes a difference.
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