Reflection

Before the visit, I didn't know what to expect. What we would be doing was not exactly clear, as our instructor had been very vague. We knew that we would be doing some kind of service, but that was about it. After we arrived, we waited in the soup kitchen area (which was familiar to me from helping with Trunk or Treating last year). We had to wait for our instructor to arrive and for the guy in charge to collect us and show us what we would be doing for the hour and a half that we would be there (although most of us arrived at least fifteen minutes early, so patience was thinly spread).

When Jason showed up, we went over to the clothes closet to help there. We were told about why the area had fallen on hard times, what they did (for the most part), and we were shown around the downstairs before being left in a room to sort through clothes that had been donated.

I was surprised by the lack of organization. Maybe it was just that day, but it didn't seem too organized after they left us alone in the sorting area. We also ran out of boxes as women seem to be the dominant donating group.

Lastly, I didn't feel like I did much. I keep trying to convince myself that going through so many clothes was helpful, but I didn't leave the clothes closet feeling very accomplished or helpful. If I go help out again, I'd probably either try to stay longer or try helping in a different area of the center.