Small Action Adds Up

I’ve been volunteering to distribute food in Waukegan on Mondays, and today, I worked with Mike and Cathy, who come here on Mondays. Arlen wasn’t with us—she spent the day with her newborn grandson, Patrick.

At noon, we served food to residents in front of the house, while volunteers in the back distributed rations to those on their list. The supply was plentiful—vegetables, chocolates, pasta, rice, and more—filling bags and boxes to the brim. Thanks to our great donors.

I also met a group of Italian teenagers who have been volunteering during their summer stay in Chicago. Cecilia is from southern Italy, and Lucia, who speaks excellent English, is from Lake Como. While waiting to serve, we repackaged a large bag of dog food into smaller portions for the residents to pick and easier for them to take it home. It was inspiring to see these young girls dedicating their summer to volunteering and gaining insight into the neighborhood. Their presence in Waukegan is truly appreciated.

Roberti Community House continues to thrive as a nonprofit organization, serving the Waukegan community. During COVID-19, they provided significant support, and they keep expanding. They now have a culinary kitchen, where I’ve also volunteered, and a coffee shop that opens on select days of the week.