Claudia Servaes, Temple University Rome Spring 2024, Culture & Identity Envoy
For many Americans, the word “Italy” invokes images of beautiful coastlines, delicious food, and exemplary art. I adore all of these things, which strongly influenced me in my decision to study abroad for the semester in Rome. In addition to enjoying the rich cultural histories that can be found within the museums and restaurants of Rome, I am attempting to understand the social, political, and cultural dynamics of The Eternal City in the modern day.
Just one week after I arrived for my semester abroad in Italy, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Mensa Giovanni Paolo II, a charity kitchen here in Rome. While my shift at the mensa flew by, the brief time I spent there pushed me to consider the attitudes that encourage community, and the importance of building positive, caring social spaces both for volunteers and those in need.
The language used at the mensa sociale was the first thing that stood out to me when I arrived on Friday morning. Though I am nowhere near fluent, I have a background in Italian Language studies, which allowed me to contextualize the words I heard and saw throughout the day. Food kitchens in Italy are often called Mensa dei Poveri, which translates to “cafeteria of the poor.” Alternatively, the term mensa, Italian for “cafeteria,” does not categorize its guests in any specific way. This observation and my interest in the Italian language led me to question the effect that this choice of words may have. From my perspective, the term mensa instead of Mensa dei Poveri indicates a welcoming space to visitors before they even walk through the doors because it does not attempt to describe those who enter.
After a quick tour and setting up for the day, each volunteer was assigned to individual posts. I worked alongside two student volunteers at the binder station, and two people who live in Rome and regularly volunteer at the mensa. The two Roman volunteers were stationed at a computer, which guests stopped at as soon as they entered the building. No matter who walked through the door, they were greeted with kindness, respect, and even a smile, which can be rare in a bustling city like Rome. I noticed the use of the formal “Signore/Signora” to address almost every guest, which is a sign of respect in the Italian language. Otherwise, the volunteers knew the guests by name, and they would chat briefly before the guests proceeded to the binder station.
Signs of respect that we often take for granted, such as word choice and small talk, can encourage positive attitudes that make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. Many of the guests were in a pleasant mood, some seemed outgoing and willing to have conversation, and people were never rude. This in turn created a good work environment for the volunteers, all of which said they would be pleased to return for another shift. Of course, this positive environment is not only important for volunteers, but for guests as well. When people have very little, the very least they can have is their dignity. I think that places like Mensa Giovanni Paolo II can help maintain that by treating people with respect and providing them with a warm meal.
Now, back to the binder station. My task was to find each guest’s individual profile page in the binders to record that they had received a meal on this day, and then give them their meal ticket. The mensa uses this information to make sure that their guests are eating enough and to perform the proper check-ins if someone stops coming to eat. I was incredibly pleased to know that this organization goes the extra mile to check in on guests and connect them with necessary resources such as rehabilitation or education, extending care beyond nutrition. However, I also recognize that the process people go through to gain access to the mensa can create barriers and present challenges in some cases. Nevertheless, the mensa manages to serve around 400 guests every day.
Learning that 400 people eat at the mensa everyday put our labor into perspective for me. There were volunteers at check in desks, cooks, servers, and cleaners, just to make one meal happen. Facilities like the mensa rely on volunteers every single day, twice a day to make this happen. 7 days a week, 365 days a year, volunteers come together to serve their community at Mensa Giovanni Paolo II. There are so many places people can choose to donate their time, so how do they encourage volunteers to return? I feel that the welcoming environment that volunteers, employees, and guests have created there makes it possible to keep operating in this way. While I was stationed at the binders, I couldn’t help but chat with the Italian volunteers- even though I had lost my voice and was supposed to be resting it. They were excited to help me practice my Italian, and we talked about anything from the mensa to our home lives. This experience showed me that Mensa San Giovanni Paolo II had built a culture of care for its guests and volunteers, which can go a long way in cultivating a welcoming environment for all.
For me, this experience reiterated the importance of giving back to your community- whether it is one you grew up in, or one that has recently welcomed you- and the lessons that you learn through cultural immersion. Volunteering not only helps those in need, but gives you the chance to interact with different communities, relieve stress from other volunteers, and learn more about yourself. Whether you are traveling or not, I encourage you to take action and donate your time to a good cause that makes you feel good too.
Ways You Can Help
Get Involved at San Giovanni Paolo II in Rome, Italy
Get Involved at the Greater Boston Food Bank
Get Involved in Philadelphia
Get educated on food insecurity globally and in the U.S.