By ALEXANDRA SMITH

If you are looking for a way to make a difference and help those in need, volunteering at a soup kitchen is a great way to spend your free time. 

Soup kitchens are also called bread lines. Most homeless shelters also act as soup kitchens, serving a free, hot meal to those who need it. 

Most soup kitchens need help all year long. If serving isn’t for you, see if there are other ways you can assist, such as mingling and talking with the diners.

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of volunteering is emphasized even more. 

Many PC 101 classes are focusing their time on community service projects as well. 

One PC 101 class focused on the Habersham Soup Kitchen by setting up boxes around campus to collect canned goods to donate. 

“We are just collecting can foods as donations [and] there are boxes put out around campus,” said freshman nursing major Gilbert Ibarra.

The Habersham Soup Kitchen in Clarkesville,  located at 166 Ritchie St., serves lunch to the hungry Monday through Saturday. 

If you are interested in volunteering at a soup kitchen, call the shelter to see when they serve meals to the homeless and if they need volunteers. 

This will most likely put you in contact with the volunteer coordinator to arrange for your first volunteer stint.

Ibarra also said, “We are giving to kids who don’t receive much and are [less] fortunate.”

 “Christmas is a time to give and thank, and I would give up my gifts so that they can have a warm meal for Christmas,” Ibarra said.

A few tips on volunteering at a soup kitchen: 

Arrive at the designated location early so that you can receive your instructions and meet the other volunteers. 

Man your assigned station and serve food to those who pass by. 

Smile! You’re making a big difference in the life of someone who needs it.