At the heart of Geneva, volunteers at the local soup kitchen serve more than food; they share compassion and connection. Each meal brings people together
and reminds us that small acts of service can make a big difference. In this interview, one volunteer reflects on what inspired her to get involved and how giving back has strengthened her sense of community.
What inspired you to start volunteering at the Geneva Soup Kitchen?
It all began six years ago on what seemed like an ordinary Sunday. I decided to take a walk into town and, by chance, took a different route. Along the way, I met a few homeless people. Their quiet dignity and gentle spirits touched me deeply. The following weekend, I packed a few lunch boxes and went back to share them. A few weeks later, someone told me about a local soup kitchen in need of volunteers, and that is how my journey began.
How did you first get involved, and what keeps you coming back?
At first, I helped serve meals. But before long, I found myself in the kitchen, doing what I love most: cooking. For the past five years, I have been preparing meals once a week for the soup kitchen and homeless shelter, and more recently, I have started cooking for children in foster families as well.
People often ask how I manage to volunteer in so many places, but to me, it is all connected. It is one big family. I am cooking for my Geneva family, and that is what keeps me coming back. Every time I walk into the shelter, I feel a deep sense of peace, as if I am coming home. I hope the residents feel the same, that when they come upstairs, smell the food, and hear my laughter in the kitchen, they feel love in the air. I want them to know their “sister” is here, cooking with all her heart.
Can you describe a moment that left a lasting impact on you or someone you were helping?
There have been so many. One quiet afternoon, I stopped by the dining room before dinner. No one was there yet, but I noticed something that brought tears to my eyes. The residents had kept all the little notes I had written for them. My French is still a work in progress, so I often write down the menu and a few simple words of encouragement. They had saved every single one, and that small gesture meant the world to me.
Another memory I hold close is of a former resident who is now a freelance makeup artist. She told me, “I come back to the shelter the day after you cook, just to taste your food again.” I remembered how she once shared her dream of becoming a makeup artist. I spent days collecting makeup from friends and finding clothes for her job interviews. Seeing her now, confident, working, and happy, fills me with immense pride. Moments like that remind me that love, when shared, always finds its way back.
How do you connect with people from different walks of life?
It always begins with respect and a smile. When I cook, I am not just feeding people, I am showing them that they matter. I want every meal to carry warmth and kindness, whether it is for adults at the shelter or children in foster care. I cook the same way I would for my own family, with care, heart, and love. Even if it is just one meal, I hope they feel seen, valued, and cared for. Everyone deserves that.
What is the most rewarding lesson you have learned from volunteering?
Volunteering has taught me that giving does not just help others, it transforms you too. It has made me more patient, more grateful, and deeply aware of how much we all need one another. Community is not built with walls or titles, it is built through compassion, shared stories, and small acts of care.
What does volunteering mean to you personally?
As a cook, I see food as a way to express love. For me, it is not only about feeding the body, it is about nourishing the spirit. Every dish I prepare is a message that life can still hold warmth and hope. When someone finds their feet again, moves into their own home, starts a new job, or simply smiles after a hard day, it fills my heart with joy. Sometimes I imagine a former resident sitting in an Asian restaurant, ordering something familiar, and remembering the meals I once made for them, thinking of their “little sister” from the shelter. Just that thought makes everything worthwhile.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering?
Start small, but start somewhere. You do not need a grand plan, just an open heart. Even the tiniest act of kindness can make a huge difference. Community is built one meal, one smile, and one kind word at a time. When we give from the heart, we do not just feed others, we feed hope itself.