Just Serve
By Afton Nelson
There are many things a 15-year-old boy might choose to do before standing in a freezer, hands numb, packing green beans alongside strangers. Yet for Jacob Philpot, his shift at the Oregon Food Bank is exactly where he wants to be. Maybe not at first—he is a teenager, after all. But, when his shift is over, and he realizes how many people will eat because of his work, he knows he will be back again. Volunteering, Jacob has found, is fun and rewarding. He says, “I don’t know who they are, where they live, or why they need it, but I fed them anyway.”
Jacob and the leaders from his church youth group organize their weekly trips to the Oregon Food Bank through JustServe.org, an online tool that connects faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations with volunteers willing to help. Through the website, individuals can find the service opportunity that matches their interests, availability, skills and location. Music lovers might have a blast volunteering at an outdoor summer concert hosted by Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District. Those with an eye for hot rods and souped-up cars might find the Salvation Army’s Classic Car Show right up his or her alley. Kaiser Westside Medical Center puts greeters to work, and is perfect for someone looking to volunteer a few hours a week for six months or longer.
JustServe.org has these opportunities and many more, allowing community members to make a difference right where they live. Individual efforts don't need to be huge, as small acts of service quickly add up to make a real difference. Groups and organizations looking for volunteers love JustServe.org because they can specify the number and type of volunteer they want, and communicate directly with them through the website. They can ensure they have the right number of people, with the right type of skills to fill their needs.
Jacob found that one of the best side effects of volunteering in the community is that working side-by-side allows us to learn from each other, increase mutual understanding, correct misconceptions, and build new friendships. He says the reason he keeps coming back to the Oregon Food Bank is, “the people you meet, the conversations that take your mind off the work. It’s about not being able to feel your hands from the cold because you spent hours helping others. It’s because you have your friends by your side talking, laughing, sometimes even dancing. It's because of the service.”
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