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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

August 30, 2017

Top 5 Reasons Why I Volunteer

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I’ve partnered with Reward Volunteers  to share this post about the 5 Reasons Why I Volunteer. Reward Volunteers is a site that allows volunteers to log their service hours and in return provides opportunities to win awesome rewards and prizes. Continue reading for more information.

Cabot Volunteer Superheroes

 

In late 2015 I was in a state of personal dishevelment (I wrote about it here). All 4 of my kids were finally in school full time and I was struggling with many things in my life…my weight, my job, the amount of “stuff” I owned, the empty house and my overall feeling of dissatisfaction with everything. For a normally overall happy person, I was really, really unhappy and I wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.

That same year, my son was going through confirmation at church, which required him to seek out and participate in a variety of community service activities. I found a local food kitchen that needed a few volunteers on a Saturday afternoon to “prep food”. Jacob and my husband went and spent the day peeling carrots, chopping vegetables, washing dishes and more. My teenager came home a changed person. He was bubbling over with excitement about the day he spent with “Kenny” (the man in charge of the kitchen prep team) and the work the Kansas City Community Kitchen was doing. I thought to myself, “If volunteering has my teenager this excited then I really need to check it out!”

Thus began my real love for volunteering. I grew up volunteering and actually had been volunteering weekly teaching school of religion to middle schoolers and working with kids at our local elementary school, but there was something about serving the homeless and underprivileged in our city that really changed my life. Growing up in a fairly sheltered small town and living a life full of love and happiness and let’s face it, privilege, I was shook to my core to see how inwardly selfish I had been to be dissatisfied with my life. I began volunteering once a week then upped that to twice a week and sometimes even three times a week because I knew that the work I was doing was of value and importance. I found purpose where I was least expecting it…inside a food kitchen in Kansas City Missouri. 

Kristen Doyle Volunteering at Kansas City Community Kitchen with Kids

Yes, I devote a lot of time to volunteer work (and track that time with Reward Volunteers), but there’s a good reason for that. One, I own my own business so I’m lucky enough to have the flexibility to create a schedule in which I can be gone during the day. In addition, I wanted to share with you the 5 main reasons why I choose to devote time to volunteer work.

The Top 5 Reasons Why I Volunteer

  1. Make a Change. It’s been tough to face the world these past couple of years, hasn’t it? It seems like there is so much hate and violence and every time the news is turned on we’re hearing about more terrible things. This can bring about feelings of overwhelming powerlessness. Many days I don’t know how to change the world, but I know that by giving my time to those less fortunate than I and doing small acts of service I may not change the whole world, but I can change someones world. Including mine. I like to think that doing good has a domino effect and by making a difference in one persons life, I’m helping to change the world in my own little way.
  2. Perspective. Remember my problems I listed off at the beginning of this story? My weight, my job, my house filled with “stuff”…well none of that has really changed. I still struggle daily with my weight. My job is in flux and I’m having a hard time deciding which direction to take things. My house is still cluttered and full of junk. But you know what? I don’t really care anymore. Serving people who have significant problems and needs that are much greater than mine has given me the perspective I needed to have a deeper appreciation for what I do have. Every night when I lay my head on the pillow, I am filled with gratitude that my haves outweigh my have nots…yes, even those extra 20 pounds are a blessing.
  3. Friendships. This week I returned to the food kitchen after taking the summer off to care for my kids. I was nervous to go back, but guest after guest after guest gave me hugs, welcoming me back, saying they missed me. And the truth is I missed them terribly! I’ve come to love the people we serve at the Kansas City Community Kitchen and I feel the same way about the people I serve with. Fellow volunteers have become close friends of mine. The friendships I’ve gained while volunteering have been an unexpected bonus I’m grateful for.
  4. Purpose. As a work at home mom of 4 kids, I have to tell you it’s been a long time since I’ve felt a real sense of purpose other than driving people around, filling sippy cups and changing diapers. Volunteering has reminded me that I have skills I haven’t used in awhile but I am good at something. Really good. It reminds me that before having kids and devoting my life to my kids, I was a great employee, a smart and organized team member, and someone who could be relied on to get the job done. I’ve found my sense of purpose, and it feels really great to be fulfilled in that way.
  5. Rewards. Selfishly, I have gained so much more than I have given from volunteering. In addition to all of the things I listed above, the unexpected gifts have been in the rewards I’ve received from volunteering. I’ve become somewhat of an unofficial ambassador for the Kansas City Community Kitchen. I spoke at their recent charity luncheon representing the “volunteer experience”. I am honored to be a point of contact coordinating groups of volunteers from my town to volunteer based on my recommendation. One of the best rewards was being recognized along with 50 other volunteers by Cabot Creamery and joining them on an all expenses paid 7 day Alaskan Cruise. Did that get your attention? Cabot Creamery recognizes volunteers and one of the ways they do that is through their Reward Volunteers program. Several guests on the Alaskan cruise being recognized were dedicated volunteers who recorded their hours in the easy to use Reward Volunteers site!

Cabot Reward Volunteers Alaskan Cruise

I hope that if you aren’t currently volunteering, you’ll consider doing something to help make the world a better place. There are so many awesome volunteer opportunities out there – find one that makes your heart sing and go for it! (Take the What’s Your Volunteer Personality Quiz to find out what you might be best suited for.) Even if you only volunteer for a couple of hours a month, every, single moment you put into doing good makes a big impact.

Kristen Doyle Volunteer at Kansas City Community Kitchen

Disclosure: Thank you to Reward Volunteers for sponsoring this post. For more information about how you or your organization can be rewarded by logging your volunteer hours in the Reward Volunteers System, head over to their website. 

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Filed Under: Life, Previous Tagged With: do good, happiness, kansas city community kitchen, reward volunteers, volunteer

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth Brown says

    August 30, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    It’s what it is all about! “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Giving and serving others is something that is rewarding and expected of us as Christ followers!

    • Kristen says

      August 31, 2017 at 8:22 pm

      I agree completely!

  2. Aggie says

    August 30, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    Reading this really hits home, I crave volunteer work because I know how fulfilling it would be (obviously even more after reading this), but I haven’t made the time for it. I love that you shared this, thank you!

    • Kristen says

      August 30, 2017 at 8:21 pm

      Thank you, Aggie!! It’s hard to find the time when you have little ones, but soon enough you will!

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The full quote: “Can you do it today? Can you make it through today without bingeing? Just today, and tomorrow we’ll reconsider?”

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This picture is from last week when @kellykdoyle and I were visiting colleges in Colorado. If I have any followers with ties to @coloradostateuniversity or @cuboulder I’d love to chat! 

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#loveoneanother❤️ #parentingteens #momofteens #anxietyawareness #backtoschooloutfit #changemakers #parenthood_moments
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Follow their journey at @impatient.us and shop the link in their profile!

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What pandemic hobby did you pick up?

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Happy birthday @ella.r.doyle 💕💕💕 We love you!
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I want to live in the big city, yet also want to live in the country. I want to live by the beach, yet also want to live in the mountains. I either need multiple lives or multiple homes! 

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I’m officially one step closer to reaching peak plant lady status! 🪴

I’m welcoming these plant cuttings from the Hello Kathy Plant Etsy Shop to my already booming collection. When I saw people rave about her “Mystery Box” of plant cuttings I knew I had to buy one. 2 things I love...mystery boxes and plants!

Now I need to figure out how to keep them alive. Any advice? 😃 🪴

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Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

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You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

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J is for...jam!
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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
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Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
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#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
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I is for Inspiration!
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
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