WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Ten Airmen from the 89th Airlift Squadron volunteered their time at the House of Bread, located in Dayton, Ohio, Dec. 8 2019. The members prepped food, unloaded products, decorated, organized and also were given the opportunity to meet a lot of people from the community.
The House of Bread serves food to approximately 250 people a day. They receive produce and donations from multiple businesses in the local area, seven days a week. They are open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Over the last 30 years, staff and volunteers have worked together, primarily using donated food, to prepare the meal each day. Volunteers are always welcome!
The first sergeant of the 89th AS, Master Sgt. David Griffith, while reaching out to the community, came across the House of Bread. Griffith relayed to his commander, Lt. Col. Brian Quinn, that they could use 10 volunteers. During the next squadron event, Quinn asked for volunteers. More people volunteered than was needed. "I was very proud of that,” said Quinn.
Quinn and his squadron first sergeant both volunteered for the event their selves.
“This opportunity is a prime example of service before self“, said Quinn. “I’m proud to help out in the community, and it also gives the Airmen involved a deeper sense of comradery.”
When the Airmen arrived at the House of Bread, they were initially greeted by the director, Melodie Bennett. She has worked there approximately 10 years.
“The thing that’s great about your group (the Air Force), you show up, you bring the number of people you say that you are going to, and you do a great job for us’, said Bennett. “And you show up with idea in your head, ‘what do you need done, we are here to serve.’”
When asked if she had a message for other people in the local area, to get them to help out in some way, she replied, “The people we serve are our neighbors. On any given day we probably recognize 70 to 80 percent of our dining guests. We (the House of Bread) work hard to be a safe place for our guests.”