Feet on the Ground, Hands in the Kitchen

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Emily Luo. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Emily Luo, though still in high school, is a consistent and compassionate presence on the Bay Area’s volunteer scene, having already dedicated over 250 hours to strengthening her community through hands-on service. A standout in her efforts is her ongoing work with Martin de Porres House of Hospitality, a San Francisco-based soup kitchen rooted in dignity for all. There, Emily contributes her time and energy preparing meals from scratch, serving clients with warmth and respect, and staying behind afterward to clean and restore the kitchen—ensuring that everyone who walks through the door experiences nourishment beyond the plate.

Her work with Martin de Porres isn’t a one-off act of kindness, but a sustained commitment. Week after week, Emily can be found behind the counter or at the sink, showing the consistency that is crucial in organizations that address food insecurity. Whether she’s chopping vegetables, washing dishes or greeting guests, Emily approaches every shift with purpose. Beyond her work in the kitchen, Emily also steps into the streets with gloves and garbage bags in hand. Participating in street cleanup efforts across underserved neighborhoods, she works with other volunteers to pick up litter and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.

Emily’s volunteerism is owed in part to HandsOn Bay Area, through which she has contributed her time to a range of nonprofit partners. Her engagement through this network shows just how strong her desire to connect with various causes and respond to the needs of her community in versatile ways is. Read on to hear more about what she does through her volunteerism.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

HandsOn Bay Area allows me to sign up for various volunteer opportunities. One primary opportunity is Martin de Porres, a soup kitchen in the heart of San Francisco. As far as my everyday responsibilities, I help cook food, prepare food, wash dishes, bake, clean the space and more. The community is welcome to come for lunch, and that includes anyone who needs a meal. They’re encouraged to stop by and have a heartwarming meal. There’s a sense of community and unity, and it’s a greatly fulfilling opportunity.

How did you first get started at the soup kitchen?

I looked through all the volunteer opportunities on the HandsOn Bay Area website, and the soup kitchen’s aim was really attractive to me. And then the schedule and timing worked out. The organization has a very long history of providing assistance to community members. Every time I volunteer, I meet people who have been volunteering there for many, many years. It’s a staple in the community. As far as those we serve, there are a lot of regulars who come in, and I can tell by how grateful they are that this place means a lot to them. The meals they receive really impact their lives.

Why is this issue so important to you?

Especially in San Francisco, there’s a lot of food insecurity. The soup kitchen is located in a neighborhood where there are a lot of immigrants, as well as a fair amount of unhoused individuals. These communities don’t always have the same access to fresh produce, much less affordable fresh produce. Martin de Porres aims to serve love and compassion to the community through food. That really speaks to me, especially because we’re working with some of those underserved communities.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

I’ve really learned how small steps can make a big impact. Even though serving food to the community may not seem like much, it really makes an impact. One thing I like is the conversation you have while serving. These face-to-face interactions really brighten up everyone’s day. It provides belonging and comfort, helps them feel understood in their community and environment. This is important, because some of these people are experiencing really hard times, like homelessness, or losing family members and friends to drug addiction. Just that small interaction, which isn’t long, may not seem like a lot, but can really make a big impact.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

I think the sense of community, which is really strong, keeps me coming back. There is a diverse community at the soup kitchen. There are volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. The sense of belonging, that we’re all going there to serve the same aim, to support the community, is really heartwarming. I feel enthusiastic every time I go. I like meeting new people, new volunteers and new community members.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

I think volunteering is a more direct way to help out with the community. It tends to give more personal, hands-on insights about your community. For instance, just hearing that your community is struggling with food insecurity doesn’t give you the same context as serving in a hands-on way. When you volunteer, you can do your own part. Volunteering also allows us to target different areas as well, and different volunteer opportunities provide different things. We can target food insecurity by serving in a soup kitchen, but also planting trees that provide fruits and vegetables for the community. There are a multitude of ways to alleviate food insecurity or any of the issues that your community is facing or needs help with.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

My advice is definitely to just try it out. You never know how it’s going to be, until you try it out. It’s worse to never try it, and regret that later. If you’re concerned about going on your own, you can start with a small group, or start with a few friends, which can make the experience more fun. And going alone allows you to make a connection with new people. For instance, I was interested in being an anesthesiologist and, through volunteering, met a professor who could tell me a lot more about the career I was interested in. There are a lot of virtual opportunities as well, especially when it comes to website maintenance or outreach. Just try it. Getting a foot out the door is a good way to start.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Emily? Find local volunteer opportunities.