More Than Just Showing Up: My Experience Volunteering at La Soupe
by Laney Sgantas, La Soupe Volunteer
La Soupe Volunteer, Laney Sgantas, at our rescue kitchen in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.
If you had asked me before this year what volunteering would feel like, I probably would have said it is just something good to do or something you add to a résumé. But after spending time at La Soupe, I can honestly say it is so much more than that. It is something I genuinely look forward to.
My experience started through Thomas More University's Saints Serve, a day where students take time off from classes and give back to the community. I chose to volunteer at La Soupe without thinking much beyond that one day. But being there, even for a few hours, completely changed my perspective. The energy, the people, and the mission all stayed with me. When I later needed to complete volunteer hours, I came right back and ended up completing every single one of them at La Soupe. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It became something I was excited to be a part of instead of something to just check off a list.
La Soupe’s mission is simple, but powerful. They bridge the gap between food waste and hunger by transforming surplus ingredients into nutritious meals for people in need through the power of chefs.
Being located in the heart of Cincinnati's Walnut Hills neighborhood makes the experience even more meaningful. It feels connected to the community in a real way. You are not just volunteering, you are helping people in your own city. You can see the food, the work, and the impact happening right in front of you, and that is what makes it so rewarding.
I also think it is important to be honest about our generation. Gen Z cares deeply about issues like food waste, hunger, and food insecurity, but we are not always as physically involved in our communities as we could be. A lot of the time, we are supporting causes through a screen instead of being face to face with the people and the impact. There is nothing wrong with caring online, but it is not the same as showing up in person.
That is why volunteering at La Soupe stands out. It gives us a way to step away from our screens and actually be present. You are working with real people, making real meals, and seeing a direct impact on your community. It turns something you care about into something you actually do.
One of the most meaningful parts of my experience has been the people. I have made real connections with other volunteers, staff, and members of the community. There is a shared purpose that brings everyone together. Everyone is working toward reducing waste, fighting hunger, and creating something positive out of good food that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. La Soupe is also about more than just immediate relief. It is about long-term change, education, and creating a more sustainable future. That is something that really connects with Gen Z. We want to make a difference, and this is a place where you actually can.
If you are looking for a way to get more involved, this is it. You do not need special experience, and you do not have to commit to anything huge to start. Just showing up is enough. What started as one day of service for me turned into something I truly love. Volunteering at La Soupe has given me purpose, connection, and a new perspective, and it might do the same for you.
