Today’s post is written by Joseph Baker.  He graduated from Indiana University and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. He has helped with the National Students Against Hunger Campaign, an organization that is committed to ending hunger and homelessness in America.  Today he coordinates two blogs: The Professional Intern Blog and Eat Breathe Blog and volunteers for soup kitchens, inner city organizations, and church activities in his spare time.

"When I was a senior at Indiana University, I took a social philosophy class; as an extra-credit assignment, I helped to form a student organization. We chose to address hunger issues on local, national, and worldwide levels.  Students Against Hunger was formed with the intention of learning about hunger, educating others, and volunteering and/or hosting charitable events in order to draw attention to our cause.

Shortly after our formation, we started investigating possible volunteering opportunities. I had recently received an email from a newly opened soup kitchen in need of assistance on Thanksgiving, and I forwarded that email to all of the members. Sarah, a co-founder of Students Against Hunger, chose to go with me, while others in the group opted to volunteer at a local men’s shelter.

Our time there was very refreshing. The Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen in Greenfield, Indiana was still small, but had already received an outpouring of generosity from the local community. Their small pantry was already overflowing, and their email marketing idea was so successful that the building was bustling with volunteers. There were entire families there, with the children learning valuable lessons about helping those less fortunate than themselves, and experiencing firsthand the impact that their actions could have on their community.

I overheard Sarah talking to Jack, one of the boys who was volunteering. She asked him why he was there and he told her that one of his friends’ families had recently lost their home, and that his friend was living in a motel room with his mother, brother and sister.  Jack’s friend had confided in him that they wouldn’t have enough money for a turkey that year, and even though Jack was only nine or ten, his friend’s story had such a strong impact on him that he insisted his parents volunteer with him at the soup kitchen.

I met many people whose lives were benefited by our simple act of generosity, including Jack’s friend and his family. We saw their embarrassment change to gratitude, and we watched families share a meal that they would have otherwise not been able to have, and smile happily at one another as their stress faded for the moment. I have always been taught the importance of keeping a proper perspective about my own problems, and this was an excellent opportunity for me to forget my own worries and learn how to give unselfishly of myself and my time."

You too can get involved in our Campaign Against Hunger!

Click here to view the growing list of schools participating in the National Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.

Click here to donate now to help this campaign.