COMMUNITY SERVICE

BY OLIVIA BERLINGERI

Ram Catholic is made so unique by the diverse forms of service that each person desires to provide. One of the best ways that I have found to serve charitably is to serve food to the homeless. A few friends and I will go to Fort Collins Rescue Mission early some mornings to serve breakfast to the men at the shelter. Fort Collins Rescue Mission is a Christian shelter for men suffering from homelessness. This shelter provides many permanent beds for individuals who are part of the community as well as other services.

The breakfast shift for volunteering is 6-8 AM. Usually you are asked to help prepare parts of future meals and to plate the meal being served. This experience is so unique and beautiful. The men in the shelter are always so gracious and it really shows another piece of the face of Jesus Christ. In my experience I have not always found it easy to piece together the full picture of Christ’s heart with people who are in a completely different situation than me, but this has been an amazing way to see that. Even just making eye contact with someone who is suffering greatly and offering them your smile can do such beautiful things in their heart and in your own. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this and for the community who will join me.