Volunteering at Belkin House: A Look Back at Our Spring Kitchen Shifts

It's been a little while since we've shared an update from Belkin House, but we've certainly been keeping busy. Over the past couple of months, our volunteers have continued returning to lend a hand in the kitchen on March 15, March 29, April 5, and April 19. Every visit has been filled with great food, great conversations, and the opportunity to support an organization that means so much to us.

On each visit, we worked alongside the incredible Chef Mom, getting straight to work preparing meals for the day ahead. We broke down cauliflower, cut cakes for the residents, chopped and prepped a variety of vegetables, and made sure the kitchen stayed clean and organized throughout the day. There is something grounding about the rhythm of kitchen work—the chopping, the stirring, the teamwork—and it never takes long before everyone finds their groove.

One of the best parts of these kitchen shifts is seeing friendships grow. Whether it's someone's first time volunteering or their tenth, people naturally connect while working side by side. At Captain Scott, bringing people together is always at the heart of what we do, and the kitchen has a wonderful way of making that happen.

When it came time to serve, the menu was one to be proud of. Mashed potatoes, hamburger steak with gravy, sautéed vegetables, and fresh salad made their way to residents who were clearly happy to see it all. The smiles said everything. Throughout the day we heard "thank you for doing this" and "the food is amazing" more times than we could count, and every single time it meant so much. That kind of gratitude never gets old. We are also endlessly grateful for Chef Mom, whose skill, patience, and warmth make every kitchen shift feel like a joy rather than a task.

By the end of each visit, we gathered around the table to enjoy a meal together, chat about the day, get to know one another a little better, and finish up by cleaning the kitchen before heading home. Those moments together are just as meaningful as the volunteering itself.

Belkin House holds a truly special place in the Captain Scott family. Every visit gives us the chance to support an incredible organization, connect with residents, and build lasting relationships with both the people we serve and the volunteers beside us. We're grateful for every opportunity to return, and we're already looking forward to our next visit.