Wheeling Soup Kitchen in Search of Volunteers To Get Through Winter Doldrums
As the cold and darkness of January and winter set in, the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling is seeking volunteers to provide warmth and brighten the world of its patrons.
While donations and the number of volunteers increase during the holiday season, often it is hard to find volunteers when January comes.
"We like volunteers who don't mind interacting with our patrons, because January is our hardest month," said Becky Shilling-Rodocker, executive director of the soup kitchen. "It's hardest for our patrons not just because of the weather, but because of the letdown after Christmas. There is a lot of free stuff for them at Christmas time, then January comes and it seems like they are the forgotten population."
Volunteers can do much good by just providing needed conversation with patrons, she said.
"It's a great place to come volunteer, even if it's just once a month," Shilling-Rodocker said. "It's not only a way to feel good, get moving and see people and make a difference in people's lives.
"You don't have to be committed once a week. You can come in once a month."
Groups of people from local churches and clubs often commit to specified times during the month.
Children also are permitted -- and even encouraged -- to accompany family members to come volunteer. Shilling-Rodocker's own 6-year-old grandson, Aidan, often helps serve at the soup kitchen.
Younger children, meanwhile, can come in, smile at people, talk and make them feel better, she said.
"Some people have not had the good experience of volunteering at a young age," Shilling-Rodocker said. "They naturally have a pre-judgment about coming here. Where if they are younger, this is just a restaurant. It's lively. It's a fun place.
"Aidan has no idea that this is any different than going to Eat 'N Park. It's nice to start your children volunteering young. There's no perfect age to let children know there are some people who aren't as lucky as them."
It's a parent's responsibility to teach their children about volunteering, according to Shilling-Rodocker. She said she has few adult volunteers who didn't start volunteering somewhere when they were young.
"After the Christmas season, I think parents think maybe they overdid it a bit. Bringing them here to volunteer is a way to bring them back to reality," she said.
Students from Bridge Street Middle School, Woodsdale Elementary School and Wheeling Country Day School volunteer time at the soup kitchen on a regular basis, she said.
Laura Mendoza, volunteer coordinator at the soup kitchen, said volunteering there also is a good opportunity for retired people.
"They can meet people," she said. "Even if it's just once a month, it helps us and gives them something to do."
While the soup kitchen likes regular volunteers to eventually get a food handler's cards, they don't need one to come in and begin volunteering, she and Shilling-Rodocker said.
While some volunteers are skilled at baking or cooking, most anyone has talents that can be used at the soup kitchen, Shilling-Rodocker said.
One blind volunteer helps sort produce, determining by smell and feel which items should be discarded.
Mendoza said she often asks new volunteers if they have organizational skills, as the soup kitchen always needs its pantry adjusted. Because there are only three full-time employees at the soup kitchen, volunteers often are relied upon to clean and keep the place spotless.
Volunteers especially are needed on Wednesday evenings, when the soup kitchen hosts its dinner and programs for children. Volunteers with new ideas for children's programming would be appreciated, Shilling-Rodocker said.
Volunteers on Wednesday evenings work 3:30-5:30 p.m., while those volunteering to serve breakfast and lunches Monday through Saturday work 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The soup kitchen is closed on Sunday.
Those interested in volunteering should contact the soup kitchen at 304-233-2992.