Day 11: Turning the Tables – Serving with T.L. Care

On Day 11, we celebrate Adelina – a longtime St. Anthony’s volunteer. Adelina is among the dedicated group of volunteers who has served in all three versions of St. Anthony’s Dining Room: the original at 45 Jones, the temporary at 150 Golden Gate, and the eagerly awaited new Dining Room at 121 Golden Gate.

Adelina served in the original Dining Room when she was on sabbatical: “I had the time, and I wanted to give back. Serving meals to the guests allowed me to do that successfully. I loved it!” Returning to full time work in school administration demanded most of Adelina’s time, but when she was asked what she would do when she retired, her response was “I know exactly what I want to do!”

She retired on October 1, 2013. Two days later, she resumed volunteering in the temporary Dining Room. “It was like a time warp: I felt like I just stepped right back in! I wondered if I’d see anyone I knew from the old Monday crew. Right away, Barbara (the Dining Room Volunteer Coordinator) and Rosemarie (a continuing volunteer for over 15 years) remembered me.”

Adelina also recognized a guest, and she remembered the feeling, “that positivity that everyone shares — the guests, the staff, the volunteers”. “I love the way St. Anthony’s builds community among the guests, volunteers, and staff,” Adelina said. “And I really love serving the bread! Everyone is so thankful and friendly. And I really love listening to the guys from the recovery program who work in the Dining Room. I love listening to them and seeing how they are getting their lives back together.”

Adelina has definitely noticed changes since her initial engagement in 2000. “I see more women guests and more young people than before.” One thing she does not expect to change as she continues to serve our guests in the New Dining Room is the sense of healing community. “One of the guests just told me: ‘looks like you’ve got that smile coming from inside you!’”