Lessons through Giving

      "Don't live in anybody's shadows or dreams.  If you have a dream, act on it, and it will probably come true."

       I can't believe how fast this month has gone by; it's nearly the end of September and I'm sure you may be thinking that I still haven't fulfilled my "goal" of participating in 2 community service events per month.  Well, I'm very excited to tell you about my newest endeavor.  After several phone calls, and talking with friends about various opportunities in the area, I have been fortunate enough to find something that is the perfect match for me.  I am, and will be volunteering 2 days/week at 2 different food pantries, and have already experience my first dinner service.  One of the meal center's I am volunteering at is Cor Unum Meal Center, in Lawrence, MA serving meals from 4-7pm.  I went in this past Monday night, and had the most wonderful experience.  Myself, along with about 20 other volunteers served over 600 people living in the Lawrence area, who are not able to provide meals for themselves, or their families.  The experience surpassed all my expectations in so many ways. 
      To start off, I was responsible for serving meals to 2 tables of 6-8 individuals, busing those tables, and repeating for the next group of 8 throughout the entire evening.  In my previous (1 day) experience at a soup kitchen, individuals came in and stood in a buffet line, as volunteers served a specific food onto their tray.  While both of these styles are very effective and beneficial to the community, in my most recent experience, I felt that I really had the opportunity to talk to these individuals and families coming in.  I was serving their specific needs, while allowing them to sit at a table and enjoy a meal.  At this meal center people coming in are offered endless drinks, and meals....no limitations.....which absolutely amazed me.  The amount of food it takes to feed 600+ people (times however many meals they want) is remarkable. It really made me realize why these food pantries and meal centers need all the donations that they can get.  Furthermore it made me appreciate the daily options that I get when deciding what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I was also really taken back by the people I met; both the volunteers and the individuals coming in for meals.  People coming in very so friendly and appreciative for the meals, and all the services they were being provided with.....some maybe a little too friendly; as someone left their number for me, with intentions of going on a date!  The fellow volunteers were so welcoming and helpful in orienting me to the center; they were willing to help me out and answer all the questions that I had.  The other meal center I will be volunteering at does 6-week rotations, so I will be going in for orientation the first week of October, and I will fill you in as I starting helping out.
      As far as the walks go, I will be walking in the Autism Speaks 1 mile walk in Boston this upcoming Sunday, September 26th.  I am still hoping to reach my goal of $150, as I am about 1/3 of the way there.  If you want to donate here's the website http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/greaterboston/rebeccamccabe; any donation is greatly appreciated.  I have also found a local walk, the Fall Festival for Cancer Walk on October 2nd right here in Lowell, that I have signed up for.  I will be walking in this event in honor of my Opa, and Aunt who both passed away from battles with cancer.  Once again I will be fund-raising for this event, and seeing as this is a last minute walk I have set a goal of raising $50.00.  This event does not have an attached website to donate to, however if you are interested in donating feel free to contact me via e-mail: Rebecca.McCabe1@gmail.com as I will create a pledge sheet that I turn in the day of the event.
      Now, for my last update......very brief........for those of you who know me and my picky eating habits, you'll be happy and possibly shocked to learn that I have stepped (a little bit) out of my shell.  Thanks to the wonderful and healthy cookbooks Hungry Girl I have discovered some new recipes....my personal favorite the guacamole dip!  Yes, you've heard me right, GUACAMOLE DIP....this coming from the girl who never ate avocado's, tomatoes,or  funky spices.........but its happened, I've explored a little out of my "norm" and found a wonderfully healthy topping/dip to many meals.  Some other personal favorites include; chicken salad, chicken pot pie, meaty thin crust pizza, cinnamon rolls, and spinach artichoke dip.  I'll hopefully be testing out some more recipes and I'll keep you posted with my explorations. 
     Well, I'll update you about the walk, and hopefully I'll have some more pictures to share with you.  As always, feedback is more than welcome.  Hope to hear from you all, and take care.

 Love,

    Bec