I’m celebrating the services of Chuck Bennett in this next post in my Giving Back series. This series features people who are trying make a difference in the lives of others and, in doing so, making this world a better place. Chuck is one of those wonderful people.
Every Thanksgiving and Christmas day, Chuck cooks a bountiful holiday meal for clients at a local homeless shelter. Everyone sits down at a large table to share in the homemade goodness and holiday cheer.
I’ve known Chuck from the shelter for a long time and I asked him if I could do a post about him. He hesitated to have the focus on him, but I convinced him that he should be part of my stories about giving back. He is an inspiration to me. He brings so much warmth and brightness to the holidays.
Here’s my interview with Chuck.
How many years have you been volunteering at the homeless shelter?
I have been volunteering at The Somerville Homeless Coalition for 28 years.
What triggered your desire to volunteer?
When I turned 40 years old, I felt that I had so much to be thankful for with a great family and friends, I just wanted to help others who may have fallen on hard times and become homeless. I contacted Pine Street Inn but they did not need any volunteers. They did offer a list of Homeless Shelters that were looking for volunteers for Thanksgiving and this is how I discovered the Adult Shelter of The Somerville Homeless Coalition and the great work they do. Each client must commit to sober living and be on the road to recovery which includes obtaining employment and eventually finding housing. I have met wonderful clients of the shelter and in fact have met a former neighbor and a former student who were guests of the shelter.
About how many people do you serve for a holiday?
We normally have 15 to 18 guests at Thanksgiving or Christmas and the volunteers also join the guests for the meal.
What kind of food do you serve for each holiday?
We make the traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings for Thanksgiving and we prepare an Italian meal with lasagna, meatballs, sausages and salad for Christmas.
The people who volunteer with you are so nice. How many people typically help out for a holiday meal?
We usually have 4-6 volunteers to help with the dinners and some have been coming to the shelter for over 20 years.
(Author’s note: I wasn’t expecting this part of his response.) Dottie, please include how I’ve come to know Tom, Louis and you from the generous food you prepare and drop off for our two celebrations year after year. I always tell everyone at the shelter that your family has been coming by since Louis was a little boy and now he has graduated from art school and is working in New York City. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to seeing Tom, Louis and you at the holidays, because I know how much love is put into the treats you bring to our meals.
When you aren’t volunteering or working, what do you like to do with your free time?
When I am not volunteering, I’m working for the State of Massachusetts in Career Services. I love what I do for employees who are affected by plant closings and layoffs. Many of these people have been working at their jobs for 25-30 years and it is such a life changing event for them when they lose their job (for many, their job is part of their identity). I also play alto saxophone in the Lexington Bicentennial Band. This group of about 80 musicians practices every Tuesday night with concerts in January and May and 9 outdoor summer concerts on the bandstand in Hastings Park in Lexington. I also travel with friends and was fortunate enough to travel to Spain, Italy and France this past October.
What is the most special thing about volunteering?
The most special part of volunteering is the interaction with the guests of the shelter. While we are preparing the meal, the guests come into the kitchen and prepare their breakfast. They are so appreciative of the volunteers and often share stories with us about how they have fallen on hard times and what they are doing to get back on their feet again.
Do you have any recommendations of things that people can do to help make a difference for the people living in shelters? What might be needed?
I think that anyone can help people living in shelters. For example, the Adult Shelter has food groups that come into the shelter to prepare a meal for the guests (i.e., a Wednesday night or every other Thursday). Other things one can do is donate dishes, pans, flatware, bedding, clothing, etc. to the shelter. Many of the guests have lost everything so when they obtain housing, they need all of the basics to set up a household.
Thanks Chuck!
Thanks so much for sharing your volunteer experience with us. I know that you bring so much joy to people at the shelter. I look forward to seeing you on the holidays.
Do you know a volunteer?
If you know of someone whom you think would be willing to share her or his volunteer experience with us, please let me know (dottie@seasaltandsailorstripes.com).