Hello everyone, welcome to my blog! My name is Kathalinna Zuniga, I was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and I moved to Florida almost five years ago. I am a persistent and committed honors student, double majoring in International Relations and Political Science at Florida International University. Before moving to Florida, I lived in Ottawa, Canada, for about a year. Canada’s demographic diversity awakened my passion for different cultures, languages, religions, and customs, reason why I decided to explore and volunteer so that I could learn more about South Florida.
WHO
I have been volunteering for a non-profit organization called Poverello in the city of Pompano Beach. Poverello Thrift stores were created with a beautiful mission; provide food to South Florida residents with critical illnesses who are living in poverty. Thus, their main purpose is to make a difference in someone’s lives by providing them not only food but also living essentials at affordable prices.
WHY
Their history and mission is what encouraged me to volunteer here. I have heard of Poverello stores in the past however, I have never taken the time to study their mission and funding process until I found this opportunity. The Poverello Center was founded in 1987 by Father William Collins, who lived during the terrible AIDS spike which took the lives of multiple people. Thus, his charity was founded under the name of Poverello (poor little one in Italian) with the intention to feed and take care of AIDS patients who were isolated and dying alone. Father Collins wanted Poverello to be a non-sectarian charity, reason why they are a very open and welcoming organization ready to help anyone in need.
The Poverello Center first started as an AIDS Service Organization, nonetheless, Pietrogallo, Poverello’s CEO, improved the organization by creating grocery programs while wanting to prevent “weekend food insecurity.” Currently, Poverello stores help 3500 families with critical illness and food insecurity in South Florida.
HOW
Similar to last semester, I found this volunteer opportunity while visiting HandsOn Broward website page and volunteer calendar. HandsOn Broward is a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower people to make a difference for causes they care about. Thus, I was able to contact David and Tommy, managers at Poverello, through the NGO’s page.
WHERE AND WHAT
Poverello has two stores, nonetheless, I only had the opportunity to go to the one located in Pompano Beach.
Wednesday, April 7
10 am
Unlike other volunteer opportunities, I found Poverello Thrift stores to be very strict regarding who sign up for the day of the volunteering and the number of hours that you are going to be there. The first day I went with my boyfriend, however, I made the mistake of not signing him up through HandsOn Broward. Therefore, at the end I only went that day to sign some papers while meeting the friendly staff.
Friday, April 9
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
When I first got there, they taught me how to clock in using a username and password that they have created for me (see photo below).
After clocking in, Tommy, one of the managers, told me to start opening bags full of cups, and glasses that they received the day before. After checking and cleaning everything I started to organize them in a section they have for house supplies (see photo below).
After organizing the cups, I was going around the store with a cart checking that everything was in the right section.
After I finished organizing all the cups, plates and candles I went to the back to start working on some bags full of clothes donations. I started opening bags and dividing men clothing from women. Additionally, we also had to divide clothes that still had tags on and designer pieces from the rest because they were going to go to the boutique sections which has different prices.
Regular clothes which include jeans, pants, shorts, dresses, polos, long sleeve shirts, and plain t-shirts are all $2. Notwithstanding, I learned that before the pandemic hit everything was $1.
Everybody at Poverello was welcoming and nice. They were patient and explained to me everything that needed to be done. I enjoyed working both, inside checking all the donations, and outside organizing the stuff. Inside I learned how to divide the donations while checking that all the clothes were in good condition, while outside I was entertain by all the stories I was hearing from customer. Besides, I was impressed by the number of senior citizens that visited the store that day.
One man, for example, came looking for a baseball bat, because according to him that will work better than the pepper spray he had. While looking for it he was telling another employee that somebody harassed him in a parking lot, but he could not call the police because he already has criminal records, and he did not want problems. Reason why, he decided that it was better to buy something to defend himself, he was probably in his 70s. I heard all types of things and was having fun working outside.
Friday, April 16
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
On Friday when I first got there, I went to the back, put my purse inside a locker and grabbed a tag with my name indicating that I was a volunteer.
As usual, there were a bunch of bags full of donations. Not to mention that multiple people go and bring stuff throughout the day. Thus, I first grabbed a bag that had kitchen supplies and started to clean and organize everything.
That day I also had the chance to meet the “technician”, who goes occasionally and tests all the electronic donations to make sure they are good and ready to put out to sell. I honestly had fun looking through all those donations, there were really old things like an instant electronic heater similar to the one in the picture below.
I was also able to meet Michael and Doris, two of Poverello’s employees that were working that day. Before I started talking to Michael, I thought they were volunteers, however, he told me that they are actually getting paid. Michael, as well as Doris, are part of a non-profit organization that helps 65+ citizens find a job in places such as Poverello or the Salvation Army. Therefore, they are able to work a couple of hours a week while getting some money. This made me appreciate more the fact that the store is clean and organize because is all thanks to them, to their effort.
I also realized that sometimes I complain too much about being tired or busy. However, they have to wait to take the bus, walk a couple of streets and work the whole day there, while being happy and thankful for having a job.
WHEN
SUMMARY
I truly enjoy and appreciate these opportunities. I have learned so much not only about these places work but also about the people that work there. I am grateful for the programs that help senior citizens in need to find a job. It has been an eye-opening experience that made me appreciate things I have and often take for granted. I hope this incentivizes people to donate things they do not use anymore.
CITATIONS
“Management.” Poverello, poverello.org/about-us/management/.
Miami in Miami 