Community Cafe

So instead of having a Soup Kitchen to feed those in need, Bozeman has what they call a Community Cafe. It's a building that used to be Frontier Pies. They have it set up like a restaurant, so people who come in are seated, their orders taken and are served at their tables. They only serve one meal every night, so they don't have a choice in what they eat, but I think it's really nice that they have it set up that way. Anyway our ward is in charge of providing volunteers one night every six weeks. Sean and I went last time, and went again last night. It is really such an amazing experience. It's interesting seeing the type of people that come to receive dinner there. Some of them really sincerely need help and show how grateful they are to those who help them. Others come and eat and then go to Dairy Queen or something right after. Last night we ran out of the sloppy joe's we were serving and so we had to give people peanut butter and jam instead. Most people gratefully accepted the PB&J but one woman said something along the lines of "I could eat PB&J at home!" and stormed out. You can really tell the difference between those who come and actually need the food and those who come and don't really need it. But it's great to be able to sit down and talk to them. Some of them are so lonely they hunger for conversation and company. They will sit and talk and talk for over and hour to you just about their life. And some of their stories are fascinating. I could never imagine having to live the lives they live. Yes, for many of them it is their own fault that they've ended up in their situation. But for others, especially those who come in as a family and have to bring their children there, are just in a hard spot in life and need to turn to aid. I can't imagine how tough that must be. It's really showed me the importance of stepping up and helping improve situations in our community.