Every Thursday morning there’s a flurry of activity at the Salt Ministries food bank, tucked away in the back streets of Bomaderry. People who have been disadvantaged by poverty, health issues or just need a helping hand are welcomed. Salt Ministries provide free food hampers, cheap clothing at their Opportunity Shop and a café. The café, which provides much more than a cuppa and a snack, gives its patrons a chance to catch up with friends and socialise in a safe environment.
Students of Glengarry have had the privilege to help out with this ongoing program for a few years now, with a hiatus over the Covid pandemic era. Each week 20 or so boys, along with a couple of staff, travel by bus to volunteer for the morning. The boys help out in a range of different ways, including preparing food hampers, sorting out clothing donations, making drinks and clearing tables at the café. Serving others gives the boys an opportunity to introduce themselves to other volunteers and people in the community, building confidence and improving their social skills. This allows the boys to experience gratitude through serving others. Performing small acts of kindness has a great impact on both the server and the people they are serving. Remembering the words of Jesus “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
Alison Johnson