All semester, students from the Catholic University of America (CUA) studying abroad in Rome have handed out food to homeless people with the Sant'Egidio service community. The experience of these homeless food runs, however, is uniquely different from most food runs that the students have previously been involved in. The reason for this difference is manifold.
Firstly, Sant'Egidio, as a completely non-profit organization, requires that the food for the homeless be purchased by the same weekly volunteers who distribute the food. Since the responsibility falls into the hands of Italians in this case, there assuredly is excellent homemade pasta. As is also customary in Italian culture, dinner distribution begins no earlier than 8 pm and finishes no earlier than 9 pm-- because of the lively during- and after-meal conversations. The homeless food run thereby resembles a social gathering among equals as opposed to the administration of provisions to the less fortunate. An illustration of this family-like atmosphere is when at the last homeless food run one of the homeless people suggested that the volunteers bring their dinner and some chairs so as to eat together. His suggestion exemplifies the unity created when sharing this unique meal.
The homeless food runs in Rome are not centered around eliminating physical hunger as efficiently as possible (as such services usually are) but about satisfying the hunger for communion with others. This mission is reflected in the meals themselves. That is, instead of serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fruit and a carton of milk, which is quickly made and in great numbers, the homeless food run crew in Rome cooks pasta and makes fish and omelet sandwiches with much care one hour prior to its distribution. Additionally, people are served on plates rather than to-go containers, hot tea from a thermos, and a choice of fruit.
The volunteers embody Mother Teresa's wisdom that "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving" because, while the nutritional quality of the food is of a higher caliber than in most food runs, the goal of the volunteers is not so much to provide the poor with more provisions as much as it is to form a bond of love with the people they serve. In this way, the quality of the service is reflected in their intention and vice versa. The execution of such a service is truly impressive and its spirit should be emulated among service organizations worldwide.
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