Visiting Editor: Change your life by helping others change theirs
Thanksgiving is Thursday, with Christmas just four weeks later. My wife and I set out Wednesday to pick up the turkey and other supplies we will need to entertain. We have invited family and friends to share the day and assigned the house-cleaning duties. Everything is in place. Or is it?
Several months ago my friend Cal mentioned he volunteers with Riverbank Christian Food Sharing, an organization that provides food to individuals and families in need. He invited me to check it out and consider becoming a volunteer.
Three weeks ago I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to meet Richard, another volunteer, at Food Sharing’s building in Riverbank. Our day began at 6:30 a.m. and we spent the next 3 1/2 hours going from location to location loading crates of donated food onto the truck and carrying it back to their building. There, other volunteers sorted and organized the food in preparation for distribution to those in need.
It was hard work, but I left for home with a satisfying feeling. I was appreciative for the opportunity to give back to the community.
I consider myself very fortunate. I am grateful for all of the circumstances in my life that allowed me the opportunity to get an education, pursue a career, provide for my family and eventually retire. I cannot begin to know all of the difficult life circumstances faced by many in our nation today, but I know that I can make a difference in the lives of people in my own community.
Since that first day, I now volunteer one or two days a week to pick up food. It is gratifying to know that in some small way I can give a “hand up” by helping provide one of life’s basic necessities. Thank God for people like Cal and Richard who spend so much of their time helping others.
So, as we prepare our checklists for holiday preparations, remember Cal and Richard and those they are helping and think about ways to help. It could be volunteering your time or giving a donation (money is always appreciated). People helping people improves the quality of life in the community we share by changing lives; including your own.
Ed Tabacco is a Bee visiting editor; he has lived in Riverbank 12 years.
Visiting Editor Program
The Modesto Bee is accepting applications to join our Visiting Editor Program in 2016. Visiting editors sit as members of our editorial board during our meeting with community news makers, officials and others. Our regular meetings are at 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, but we sometimes schedule additional meetings when the need arises. Visiting editors serve for three months and are encouraged to write occasional editorial comments. If you are interested in becoming a visiting editor, or want additional information, please contact Opinions Page Editor Mike Dunbar at mdunbar@modbee.com or 209-578-2325.
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 12:53 AM with the headline "Visiting Editor: Change your life by helping others change theirs."