30 Oct Volunteering Opportunity in the City

Moving to San Francisco, I was definitely struck by the large homeless problem, especially in the center of the city. Sometimes it feels like the problem is too big to try to tackle as just one person, especially as an international student. However, there are still things you can do to help and make a difference to people’s lives. 

A voluntary organization called ‘GLIDE’ provides thousands of homeless people with hot food three times a day. The organization is based on Ellis Street in the Tenderloin district of the city – a five-minute walk away from Powell Street muni stop. Me and a couple of my friends have volunteered here a few times before and it is immensely rewarding. Volunteers can work the breakfast, lunch, or dinner slot any days of the week – whatever fits best in your schedule – and each shift is around two-three hours. 

Your role can vary; it will either include the serving up of the meals, i.e. dishing up ladels of hot food or fresh fruit, the physical giving of the trays and welcoming in the members of Glide or the busking of tables when they finish eating. Once the hour of meal service is complete and the members have left, all the volunteers work together to clear the hall, in preparation for the next meal. If you fancy giving back to the community through GLIDE, they are always looking for and in need of new volunteers. You can sign up to the shift that works best for you and subscribe to their mailing list online at https://www.glide.org