By: Kaya Langdon
Community engagement usually flies under the radar for most, but it really is a big part of society that more people should participate in! I personally love to do volunteer work just because of the people I meet and the productivity that it creates. Throughout the years, I’ve been a part of countless clubs and organizations to help out around the community. Still, there’s one that stands out from the others when I first think of volunteer work.
A place that I love to help out at is the Midwest Food Bank in Gilbert. My family and I are regular volunteers there. As far as volunteering goes, it has to be one of the simplest and most inclusive centers out there. Time flies suspiciously fast even though you’re just packaging pasta, or labeling bags. I love everyone I have met there, and it seems to be a common theme that most food bank volunteers are pretty nice people.
In general, community service is an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of. Trust me—even to myself, it can sound boring beforehand, and I don’t blame people for refusing to try it. I’m sure there are many that struggle to think of community engagement that they have done in the past at all. But it’s certainly not something that you should shy away from.
Service isn’t just about helping people that you may never see. It’s about making it an experience; something that will fulfill you personally while also giving to the world. There are so many meaningful connections that you make through community engagement, so if you’re on the fence about it, don’t be. It’s a positive experience that more people should get involved with.
