Day 2

Today, when I entered the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, it was quite a change from it’s normally bustling self. Only a few people were there, including some that I recognized from Saturday. They were all working steadily on several cardboard boxes, pulling cans and boxes from them and then flipping them over, searching for something. After I signed in, I went over to an elderly woman that seemed to be in charge and asked what I should begin with. Immediately, she grasped my arm with surprising strength and led me over to a kindly looking middle aged woman who was sorting through boxes. A young man was helping her and introduced himself with a smile as Peter, then told me that they were sorting through donated food for expiration dates and then putting types of food together in the marked boxes. I worked steadily for and hour and a half and all the while food kept flooding in. through the cardboard boxes, I could see people shyly entering then speaking quietly to the welcomer, only to cringe back when she abruptly shouted to us, “Food for four!” or, “Food for one!” and so on. I was gratified to see those people leave every time with boxes of food that I had helped pack. I love working at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. Everybody that comes in gets food and that makes me feel like I’m helping someone every time I put a can in a box.