On one of the last days of our 2017 vacay, we were driving around Negril and our driver pointed out a soup kitchen in Negril that fed people in need. As soon as we got back to the States I began to reach out to Saint Anthony’s Soup Kitchen and I met Father Jim.
Turns out they are happy to have people come and help out on their vacations! They serve children breakfast in the morning (early morning!) and adults in the late morning. Our small group of friends that travel yearly to Negril set up a date to volunteer the following year. We arrived around 11 am and started by helping out in the clothing area.
This was a little shack attached to the soup kitchen with stacks upon stacks of clothing of all sizes, children to large adult. We helped fold and stack by sizes. I helped an elderly Rasta man find a pair of size 32 jeans—it was one of the highlights of this trip. (Read all about this experience on my Being Better Humans blog: Thrift Store Experience HERE and Soup Kitchen Experience HERE)
Ahead of our 2019 trip, we made a date to go back and visit during the children’s breakfast. About 5 months before our departure for Jamaica, all the wives in our travel group met for brunch and “mom”osas and we assembled blessing bags for the kids. We each shopped for 50 items. One bought toothbrushes and toothpaste, one bought candy, one pencils and bandaids, one bought glue sticks and tissues, and one bought crayons. We assembled 50 bags, enough for the 50 children that visit there each morning. This part of our trip will stay with me forever! (Read all about this trip HERE on my Being Better Humans blog)
When you travel, generally you set out looking for interesting and fun things to do in the area you are visiting. We look for places to eat, drink, and day trips. But I think one of the BEST excursions you can possibly do on any vacation, anywhere in the world, is to get out into the community and give back. Take just a few hours out of the time you are there to meet people! Do a little research ahead of your travel and maybe find a soup kitchen, a shelter, a school, or anywhere that is in need of volunteers or donations. Giving back feels beautiful!
