Day 24: Feeling Blessed

We sat down in St. Anthony’s breakroom to catch up with longtime volunteer, Phyllis Levine.

Carmen: How long have you been volunteering at St. Anthony’s?

Phyllis: I have been coming to St. Anthony’s for more than 16 years.

Carmen: How often do you volunteer?

Phyllis: Three times a week.

Carmen: Wow, so three times a week for three hour shifts multiplied by four weeks, twelve months, and sixteen years equals 6,912 hours. What about the experience here keeps you coming back week after week?

Phyllis: I really like the guests. There are so many wonderful people here—guests, volunteers, staff, the guys in the program. This is truly a spiritual place.

 Carmen: What brought you to St. Anthony’s originally?

Phyllis:  There was a quote from the Dalai Lama that inspired me. Someone asked him how to become enlightened and he responded “feed people”.

Carmen: I know that you were trained as a chef. Do you have a favorite meal that we serve?

Phyllis: I have two. I love the mushroom lasagna and the chermoula salmon.

Carmen: Me too! I could eat the chermoula sauce with a spoon. Our chefs are so talented.

Carmen: One last question. If you could sum up your experience volunteering at St. Anthony’s in just one word, what would it be?

Phyllis: Blessed!