Giving Back

When I volunteer to serve at events, I always enjoy getting to know the story of those we are serving. I also make a point to get to know the other volunteers. Last month, when working with Qoheleth Ministries, I met a woman who, for this article, I will call Maria.

Maria was there with her young daughter. I asked her how she found out about Qoheleth Ministries. Her response was that she used to go there to receive food when her family was struggling. Her daughter was a baby at that time. She said that she never forgot the blessings of not only food, but love and encouragement she received from this group, and it is important to her to give back in gratitude for the blessings she received in her time of need. Now she brings her daughter so she, too, can learn the joy of helping others. Maria is an inspiration to her daughter as well as all of us in the community. Thank you for all you do, Maria!

Qoheleth Ministries runs a program dubbed “Feed The Hungry.” It is a food distribution program for seniors, singles, and low-income families in the cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. On the 2nd Saturday of each month dozens of volunteers can be found in the parking lot of Vanguard University (intersection of Newport Blvd and Fair Drive), in Costa Mesa, California, where they unload several tons of food from the organization’s large truck, break it down into family sized units, and distribute food and essentials to families in need. There is not a person in that parking lot you would not want as a neighbor or best friend. They are truly a gracious and giving group of people. We recommend you join them the first opportunity you have. You will not be disappointed.

You can register to volunteer with Qoheleth Ministries and other great charities through the Volunteer Network OC mobile app. It can be downloaded free from either the Apple App Store or Google Play.