Warming Hands; Warming Hearts -- Amy Glen

On Tuesday night, the second day of our trip (July 28), we had the great opportunity to serve in a literal way: handing out soup, sandwiches, and tea/coffee to the homeless people in two locations in downtown Santiago.



Setting out the groceries we bought alongside freshly made “pan” (bread) picked up earlier in the day from a local baker; we quickly formed an assembly line and put together “pancito” after “pancito” (small sandwich). Cut the bread, spread the butter, layer the cheese and meat, and finally wrap for transport.

{As we were physically preparing the food, we were also mentally preparing ourselves for the cold night ahead!}

What began as just a Youth Corps endeavor quickly grew as more and more local Good Works volunteers showed up to help out! Jumping on the assembly line, helping count the pancitas, even just making tea to help us stay warm while we worked -- all of it was greatly appreciated! Marco Medina, a local volunteer, arrived and quickly got started on the gigantic pot of chicken soup, with help from many slicers and dicers. The smells coming from that pot were “muy maravilloso!”

We weren’t scheduled to hand out the food until around 9pm and, being accustomed to the typical USA eating schedule, considered that pretty late for dinner, let alone beginning the night! Mike inquired of Patricia Diaz Ayala, the directora of Acción De Calle (the program that does this every week), why they start serving so late in the day. She responded that most of the people who were coming to eat would have probably been out looking for work all day, and would be coming back to stay the night at the shelters that are nearby, thus giving them warm food and drink shortly before settling down for the night.



After stirring the soup to completion, we loaded up the vans and cars and ventured into downtown Santiago where our makeshift assembly line continued on the street: one volunteer offered soup, another handed out the pancitas, someone asked if they preferred coffee or tea, and finished with a volunteer pouring the hot water into the cup (quick stir to dissolve the sugar) and handing it off. There was no shortage of bodies willing to serve in that line, between us four Youth Corps volunteers, the locals supporting Good Works volunteers, and those that came with Acción De Calle, and we took turns serving and mingling with those gathered.

A local Good Works volunteer, Emilio Gepper, brought along his guitar and enticed several sing-alongs amongst those gathered, showcasing some major talents in the streets of Santiago. This brought a lighthearted ambiance and provided an opportunity for bonding on a different level (as music is such a universal language) that was much appreciated and enjoyed all around.

At the end of the night, we handed out 150 pancitas, five pots of soup, and many, many, many cups of tea and coffee, warming bellies and putting smiles on all the faces.