A fellow volunteer once indicated to me that she feared that our efforts are essentially for naught, that our work merely addresses superficial problems and that the fundamental issues of poverty and hunger are ignored. I disagree with this sentiment. Volunteers at the soup kitchen do, indeed, serve food and wipe off tables. But beyond that, far beyond that, we give hope to those in need. By devoting our time and enthusiasm, we are letting the less fortunate members of our community know that their lives are extremely important and meaningful.
Distance is sacred and dangerous.
What matters is not the large and lofty eco-topian ideals that often still leave you hollow, but getting out there and becoming intimate with the landscapes you inhabit everyday. The only difference between you and who you help is chance and circumstance. I think it's time we all realized how similar we are. Once you realize this, you can't help but want to do service for and with your community. Donahue Working with various projects, including tutoring, Christmas in April, and Point Lookout Projects, I have come to realize how important it is to get involved with the betterment of the lives and places around you.