SSE Sandwich Service: Tri-Valley, CA
Members of the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Tri-Valley have been participating in service projects in collaboration with a nonprofit organization, East Bay Community Recovery Project (EBCRP), since September 2021. EBCRP helps impoverished individuals and families who are dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues by providing comprehensive and integrated services and assistance in finding employment and housing.
The Center identified three distinct needs and initiated service projects to address them: (i) a quarterly clothing drive to collect new socks, undergarments and other types of clothing for the EBCRP homeless outreach program; (ii) collecting and delivering toiletries and sanitary essentials such as soap, shampoo, laundry detergent once every six months; (iii) delivering bedsheets, comforters, towels and women’s essentials as needed to the women in the EBCRP Project Pride program.
Additionally, students of the Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) prepare sandwich bags every second Sunday of the month which are then handed to EBCRP for distribution. The service project has touched many hearts and inspired many SSE volunteers, as evidenced by their reflections. One SSE student commented, “I love this project. I feel happy when I think how a sandwich could bring a smile to the person who receives it.” Another young volunteer remarked, “When we give good food to others, we are doing something positive for the community.” Yet another volunteer reflected, “Even if I can’t see them receiving it, it still makes me feel happy when I realize the sandwiches will go to those who may not get even one meal each day.” Finally, another student added, with a grin, “You get to eat the leftover sandwiches and socialize with your friends after the service. What’s there not to like?"