This past weekend, I had the opportunity to volunteer with some of my fellow John Glenn Leadership Council members at the Community Kitchen in Columbus. Although our group has worked with organizations like the Columbus Early Learning Center and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank for several years, we didn’t know what to expect from this experience as it was our first time working with the Community Kitchen.
We arrived early enough to prepare for the breakfast service, and we all piled into the small kitchen to be greeted by Clarence, who directs volunteers and does most of the kitchen preparation and service. Because of our numbers, he delegated jobs around the building including cleaning walls, organizing the freezer, and doing the dishes. I was lucky enough to work on the food line during both breakfast and lunch services, which allowed for some direct interaction with the kitchen patrons and the ability to completely take in the atmosphere of the dining room. What stood out most to me about the organization was its open and welcoming policy, which allows for food service to anyone “no questions asked.” The result was an open dialogue between the staff and the regulars, but also a steady stream of new faces.
One of the main reasons I am thankful to be a member of the John Glenn Civic Leadership Council, which I joined through my Learning Community in my first year here at Ohio State, is that it provides opportunities to interact with the Columbus community at large. Because the campus is so big, it is very easy to become completely wrapped up in this university bubble. I think it’s essential to remember that Ohio State is a part of a larger community, and that as students we have a responsibility to participate in it as a whole.