There is currently a great need for soup kitchens in America, especially since Covid-19 has exacerbated the situation. One in ten American households experience food insecurity, which means these households are not guaranteed to have food to eat each day.

Three reasons why volunteering at soup kitchens is the best way to spend your free time are getting to help people in need, meeting new people, and gaining practical life skills from your time volunteering.

It’s rewarding for both you and the people you’re helping. Whether you work inside and know the work you’re doing is providing food for hungry people, or you serve food and get the satisfaction of giving it to those hungry people, helping the community feels good.

So, how do soup kitchens help? Soup kitchens are different from other food services like food pantries because they serve a hot meal. Other services give raw ingredients to families so they can take them home to cook meals. However, this doesn’t help the people who don’t have places to cook or store food; that’s where soup kitchens come in.

Most soup kitchens serve food to anyone who comes by. Some people may be skeptical and think, “If they’re not checking to see if people really need it, people will take advantage of the service”. While it’s true that some people may come for a free meal when they can afford their own food, the majority of people really need it. You can’t let the fact that one person may be taking advantage stop you from helping hundreds of others who actually need the help.

Another great reason to volunteer at soup kitchens is that you get to meet new people who are like-minded and want to serve the community. Some people come for high school or court court hours, while others come just because they like to help. It’s a great way to meet people from different backgrounds.

Meeting new people is important to your understanding of the world and can give you access to opinions outside of your own ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic status. You can make new friends, find new perspectives, and make connections that will benefit your future.

Acquiring practical life skills is another great reason to volunteer. If you usually dislike chores or struggle to motivate yourself to learn how to do them, soup kitchens are a great opportunity. Doing the work feels less like a chore and more like a reward. Knowing you’re helping hungry people is an excellent source of motivation.

Some of the skills you can learn are basic cooking and food preparation, cleaning and washing dishes, or even taking inventory. Interacting with the people at the kitchen also improves social skills. The experience can help prepare high schoolers for real jobs too.

Overall, volunteering at a soup kitchen is a fun and beneficial way to make you feel productive during your free time. If you’re ever stuck in a routine and get bored at home, soup kitchens always need the help from those who are willing to to show up and put in the work.