The Lotus Light Charity Kitchen cooks 200 meals weekly for seniors living in SRO housing, and the homeless. This is possible thanks to a small number of dedicated and hard-working volunteers that consistently invest their time and effort every week. There are several volunteers that show up sporadically, but it’s these core members of the Charity Kitchen that support its continued operation.
On the Wednesday shift, the first to show up is always Lilian, a diligent volunteer that has showed up every week to help, barring any sickness or injury. As a longstanding volunteer for the Charity Kitchen, she has a good grasp over all the responsibilities and duties in the kitchen. Lilian’s cheerful and bubbly personality is also always a comfort in this occasionally hectic environment, and she always works with a smile on her face. Furthermore, her caring and giving attitude extends to her fellow volunteer as well, and she will often bring homemade food like zongzi or Chinese turnip cake and offer it to everyone.
Arriving a bit later is Nancy, who has similarly been volunteering at the Charity Kitchen for a very long time. Nancy is one of the most capable, experienced, and reliable volunteers in the kitchen. Working hard and fast, she efficiently completes any tasks given to her. Nancy also actively seeks out and identifies tasks that she’s able to help with, often helping with chores before you even have to ask. During service, she is usually the one to clean the many bowls and pans that get used. In addition to helping in the kitchen, she regularly helps return bottles, recycle plastic waste, and recycle cardboard/paper waste.
Usually arriving near the tail-end of ingredient preparation is Carol, another experienced volunteer at the Charity Kitchen. Carol is a very meticulous worker, which makes her well-suited to assembling the lunch boxes, cleaning, and sometimes food preparation as well. Although she is the last to arrive usually, she is always the last to leave, staying behind to clean the cookware, stovetops, floors, etc., maintaining a sanitary workspace. She also makes short videos documenting the food that’s made, and always highlights the best aspects of the food, often complimenting the other volunteers’ work. Like Lilian, she often gives gifts to fellow volunteers on special occasions and celebratory holidays.