Beyond the Meal: Building Relationships

Wayne Cerullo

One of the blessings of serving meals with Hope Solutions is the opportunity to connect with people I might never otherwise have met. Each time I serve, I’m reminded that every person has a story worth hearing.

There’s the man who takes a dinner tray back to his partner, who is bedbound. There’s the woman raising her son on her own who also knows how to repair car engines. And there’s the boy who loves puzzles and enjoys observing the natural world around him.

These brief conversations remind me that service is about so much more than providing a meal. It’s about showing up, getting to know one another, and discovering the gifts, interests, and stories that make each of us who we are.

Serving with Hope Solutions offers a beautiful combination: the opportunity to meet people where they live, quite literally, while sharing the experience with familiar faces from our church community. It’s a place where relationships can grow, barriers can soften, and we can be reminded of the humanity we share.

Want to serve or have an impact story to share? Connect with Billy Roy at billyr@saintmatthew.org!