Project Angel Food, Essay Example

My volunteering with Angel Food alongside with six other people from the same school was an experience for a lifetime. I learned about the mission of the organization, the role of organic food and its benefits on health of humans. I truly believe that the charity organization makes a difference in lives of people affected by cancer, HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses.

The Role of the Organization

Angel Food is a charity organization in Los Angeles County that provides organic, nourishing meals for people affected by life-threatening illnesses. The meals are prepared by real chefs and volunteers give them a helping hand. I was one of them. The organization also delivers meals and has 90 different routes from Long Beach to Lancaster. It has been open since 1989, and has already delivered 8 million meals so far for those who needed it the most. Apart from delivering meals, the organization also makes sure that all their clients receive a personalized package on special holidays and their birthday.

My Role as a Volunteer

I arrived to the location of the organization with my peers and met the manager, Robert. He introduced us to the goals, mission and vision of Angel Food and showed us around the kitchen. We were assigned a task to help professional chefs in the kitchen. After familiarizing ourselves with kitchen hygiene guidelines, we took our stations and got to work. I worked with Juan, a chef, who was very helpful and answered all my questions along the way. My first task was to shift dry lentils to ensure that they are free from rocks and debris. Next, I helped cutting the cooked chicken for a salad. Finally, we helped with preparing organic vegetables for later use; cutting cleaning, portioning.

Volunteers work alongside professional chefs, and while they help with smaller tasks, they can learn about kitchen hygiene, the difference the organization makes and hear stories of people who receive the meals.

What I Learned

I learned that no matter what one’s role is; even the smallest job can make a difference. My role as a volunteer might have been small, but I did realize that I did contribute towards the greater goal. I also learned a lot about working in the kitchen, preparing vegetables and the importance of eating freshly prepared organic meals.

My Impression of the Leadership

Within the organization, everybody was friendly and welcoming. I did not notice any hierarchy on site, and the manager, Robert was a true inspirational leader. Chefs were happy to work with us, teach us and have a chat about cooking, menus and the source of nutrition in our diet. The chefs and manager even made us laugh. I believe that Angel Food is a professionally managed organization and it has a welcoming atmosphere, good work ethics and teamwork.

How Angel Food Makes a Difference

Through permanent staff and over 3500 volunteers a year, the organization is able to deliver meals to those who are in need of it. They also organize fund-raising events and provide nutrition tips for people. They publish healthy recipes and offer nutrition counseling to help individuals prevent or beat breast cancer. The organization promotes an active lifestyle through sports events. I believe that by promoting healthy lifestyle, the organization does make a great difference in Los Angeles county.