Getting involved even during the worst of time

My article explains that now more than ever, it is essential to try and get out to help your community. Though some people are busier than ever during these times, working extra jobs, caring for others, the people who are not and have the ability and opportunity to help, should absolutely do so.

by Patrick Mulhern

People are able to fulfill their time in a meaningful, productive way by volunteering in the community and helping out people in need.

Many families over the past week have been going down to the local community center to volunteer with packing boxes of non-perishable foods that are sent to the families in need during the pandemic.

“Three scoops of rice, three scoops of corn… and in 10 seconds you just fed six families” says Mathew Martin, regional manager of Operation Outreach for the last 15 years. Once packed, sanitized, and counted, the boxes are sent out to soup kitchens, hospitals, elderly homes, etc., for some of the less fortunate families to enjoy an easy meal that doesn’t come around often during the quarantine.

The volunteers are arranged prior to their arrival to ensure a safe social distance at all times. Families are grouped together by table, away from one another which makes it much easier to focus on keeping yourself and the food, clean and safe.

Over the past three weeks, there has been a 60% increase in families depending on organizations like Operation Outreach for meals every day.

Martin says, “About 80% of public city school students are on a lunch program at school… and that 80% then turns to us during situations like these.”

A lot of college and high school students, depending on the circumstances, stay at home with not much more to do than their schoolwork due to the stay at home orders. Organizations around the country can always use help from the community it supports, especially when it needs their help the most.

Hi everyone my name is Patrick Mulhern. Still doing well at home trying to find anything to fill my time with. With classes coming to an end I’m working on making that final push to get myself through the semester, though I’m not sure what I’m going to do with my self with zero responsibilities. I hope everyone is doing alright as well!