This past week, the gang and I had the most wonderful time serving our local community through Encinitas Fill-A-Belly. This experience allowed me to live out my restaurant-owning fantasies with far less commitment and likely the exact same amount of financial success, ie none lol . Who needs the stress of running a restaurant when you can have all the fun of serving delicious food and making people happy whenever you feel like it and with no overhead costs? Plus the "customers" are far more appreciative than paying patrons and you don't have to panic that one of them might be a critic in disguise.
Friendly crowd aside I was wildly anxious that I was going to mess something up, so I fell back on my oldest trick of elaborate distraction techniques. We had some leftover centerpieces from my youngest daughter's birthday party the day before (perfect timing!) so we brought those along and the girls got to place them on the picnic tables. That way if they hated my cooking, there was a chance they might at least like my flowers.
My two daughters were an absolute hoot, swimming in adult-sized food handling gloves while serving up desserts. They were so enthusiastic and had a ball, giggling and making friends with everyone they served. It's moments like these that remind me why it's so important to involve kids in community service—they bring such joy and laughter to the table. Plus my littlest felt incredibly important having a real job alongside the adults (passing out cookies!).
As for my 16-year-old stepson, he found himself in the thick of things, quite literally. Dressed almost head to foot in his school's spirit wear, he found himself sandwiched in the midst of the rival high school's football team who were volunteering the same day. He was probably a bit nervous at first. But by the end of the night, he was all smiles, having a blast and even making a few new friends.
Choosing a dish that wouldn't be a challenge for those with dental issues to consume was one of the hurdles we faced. We opted for our family's favorite gluten-free meatloaf and mashed potatoes, which turned out to be a hit! Using gluten-free oats instead of breadcrumbs (I can't cook with non GF ingredients in my kitchen) gave it a lovely texture, and some homemade BBQ sauce added that perfect tangy sweetness. To complement the meatloaf, we served it with 20 pounds of mashed potatoes, lovingly peeled by my nine-year-old. The food was devoured with enthusiasm, and we received so many compliments. It was great to know that we had a small part in making their day a little brighter.
But while our time serving was wonderful, the real heroes are the regular volunteers who make this event happen every week, come rain or shine. They set it up with all the skills and panache of a professional events crew. Their dedication and hard work ensure that this community meal runs smoothly and most importantly consistently, and they truly embody the spirit of giving.
All in all, it was a day filled with love, laughter, and a lot of food. If you've never volunteered with your family, I highly recommend it. It's a fantastic way to bond, teach your kids about the importance of giving back, and spread a little joy in your community. And if you cooking isn't your jam then why not throw a little something in your Amazon cart to help the most vulnerable men, women and children in our community (link to wishlist below). https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/339KKVZ40M97U?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2TO6mx29n5TjRVbHYIAkMGVPF2EHYywUGUSyTX6kBZqWXxm3sqD3GyLQw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
#CommunityService #FillABelly #FamilyVolunteer #GlutenFreeCooking #BBQMeatloaf #FeedingTheHungry #JoyInGiving #FamilyBonding #EncinitasLove #FoodWithHeart
Comments