Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Serving at the Samaritan: Being a good Samaritan

Since the beginning of September I have been fortunate enough to volunteer every Thursday morning at the Samaritan Center, the local soup kitchen in Syracuse. I first learned about this opportunity from Andrew and decided to go one day after hearing all about the wonderful service that is provided as well as the people who work and eat there. Needless to say, the Samaritan Center does a good job of providing meals for the hungry. I have enjoyed spending each Thursday morning doing a variety of tasks from washing and drying treys, cleaning the dishes, making the food in the kitchen, and actually serving the meals to the guests. Each role has been fun and enjoyable as I have had the chance to work alongside some of my friends and have also met very interesting and kind hearted people who volunteer as well. Not only have I enjoyed serving the guests, I have also taken to talking to some of them whom I know now on a more personal basis. This part of the service at the Samaritan Center is great. It is nice to see those whom I have met and know from the OX down town at soup kitchen, as these friendly faces always brighten my day. I have learned from observing the likes of Andrew and I encourage others who volunteer to get to know the guests whom we serve. It is a vital part of what it means to care not only about the physical needs one has, but to extend the loving community and support of our fellow brothers and sisters by taking a real interest in their lives. One's consistency of service and volunteering on a regular basis is important and strikes a cord with those whom we serve. With that said, my time at the Samaritan Center has been one of service, fun, and a learning experience which I hope to continue throughout my stay in Syracuse. No matter what we do in terms of service or interacting with others, we must always remember that a smile and listening can go a long way.

Bible Study at the Oxford Street Inn

Last February I was fortunate enough to start visiting the Oxford Street Inn, the local men's Shelter in Syracuse. On Friday evenings I help run and participate in a Bible study where a group of men, including myself and another volunteer, come together and discuss a passage and/or a key theme for the day. My experience of delving into the Word with my fellow brothers has been of great value, as I have learned more about my faith and how to live it out on a regular basis. In the discussions we have shared our experiences from our lives and how God has safeguarded us and guided us along the journey of life no matter how rocky or smooth each of our paths may have been. These sessions and talks have helped me have new incites and grow in understanding and faith. By engaging in prayerful dialogue with my fellow brothers at the OX, I have received plentiful insight into what it means to be a community and faithful follower of the Gospel. The guys at the OX are amazing and have taught me a great deal through their openness, personal testimonies, knowledge of the Scriptures, and how they view life. There is no doubt that I have been blessed and that God has opened my eyes to see how important it is to go and spread the Good News to all people. I can confidently and thankfully say that when I am at the OX, which is a homeless shelter in the "worst part of Syracuse," all of the walls and barriers that so often keep us apart due to our inability to see beyond and love all people are broken down. By studying the Word and engaging in prayerful reflections, this Bible study has blessed me with new friends, new brothers in Christ, and an increased desire to love as Christ did without counting the cost.

Serving through Sandwiches


I am grateful to be able to take part in an on campus ministry to serve the local homeless and needy of Syracuse through making Sandwiches. Our group, the Le Moyne College Sandwich makers meets every Monday and Wednesday evening at 9pm to make 90-110 sandwiches for the men and women of Syracuse. This program which was started by my good friend Andrew Lunetta over three years ago was created to reach out to those in need. Doing something as simple as making sandwiches with friends, which takes only 25 minutes or so is a ministry and an important piece of what it means to serve. Many of us spend hours a day procrastinating, going onto facebook, aimlessly surfing the web, or watching sitcoms. However, if we just take a look in the mirror and then realize that we can do more we may surprise ourselves. More importantly, we will realize that our efforts on a daily basis whether big or small make a difference to others. Our sandwiches are delivered each Tuesday and Thursday morning. I have the privilege of taking the ham, turkey, and PBJ sandwiches to the Samaritan Center, the local soup Kitchen in Syracuse. It is at the Samaritan Center where I have been able to not only hand out sandwiches which provide a bag lunch service for the needy between breakfast and dinner meals, but also where I have conversed with these people and made friends. Many of the men and women who come to the Sam Center are in need, but they are not just in need of physical food, but also spiritual food and communication with others. It is my belief that through a smile, a sandwich, and some conversation, we make a difference in lives. However, our ministry must not stop here, as we can continue to expand and reach out to others as well. I urge you to think about your days and how you spend your time and remember that making a difference in somebody's life is not all that difficult. It can be through a simple gesture of bread, meat, lettuce, and cheese! You never really know how much of a difference you have made, but you can be certain that if you do not act you will have no impact at all. We are blessed and we must continue to show our gratitude by giving back to those in need and loving others. Jesus came to cure the sick, spend time with the lonely, and change the hearts of the sinner. Let us remember to reach out with mercy, love, and compassion. For the Gospel itself says it best, "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Luke 12:48) God bless you and may you go out to love and serve today!

To learn more about Le Moyne College Sandwich makers or to get ideas with creating your own sandwich program please log on to our blog: lmcsandwichmakers.blogspot.com or contact Dan Jason @ jasondm@stu.lemoyne.edu