SALT Kitchen

SALT Kitchen: Serving the Homeless in Taipei

May 6, 2022By

It all started with one word — service.

On New Year’s Eve 2020, after praying and meditating on what the theme for the coming year would be, that word was placed on my heart and spirit. At the time, I was studying and working in Taiwan on and off for seven years. But it was only in the last year and a half that I noticed something was missing in how I engaged with Taiwan and Taiwanese society. I felt a distinct call to do more. Service, therefore, not only prompted me to step out of my comfort zone but to be more in tune with where I was and what was happening around me. It especially meant being more aware of the unfortunate realities of many in Taiwan that are often overlooked. But where would I even begin? Who would I contact?

It was then that I remembered a conversation with a friend of an acquaintance who mentioned the SALT Collectiv. She spoke of her time volunteering and told me where I could reach the team. I wasted no time in contacting them. All it took was a message sent to their Instagram to get connected. Little did I know that my involvement with SALT would set the trajectory for the next 12 months and give me the chance to meet people from around the world with hearts equally ready to serve those less fortunate.

I very quickly realized that the SALT Collectiv is the bridge that connects those in the foreign/ex-pat community in Taiwan who wish to volunteer in initiatives that cater to the specific needs of marginalized communities. Among the several activities and projects that it organizes, the SALT Soup Kitchens have stood out the most to me. It is where one can see the immediate impact of what a hot meal can do for someone who may only be able to eat once a day. Most of the marginalized that the soup kitchens cater to are the homeless aunties and uncles in Taipei, specifically those who are known to gather near Taipei Main Station.

On the first Saturday of every month, volunteers like myself meet up at the SALT Kitchen to pack bento boxes with food prepared by partnered restaurants like Allegro樂格輕食, Kitchen 2 Go, and Safranbolu Turkish restaurant. The packing process is the most enjoyable as this is where the SALT Collectiv community is built. New friends are made, and fun conversations are had while stationed along an assembly line packing main and side dishes into 150 lunchboxes. After the boxes have been packed and transported to Taipei Main Station, this is where it gets interesting. From the moment you hand out your first lunchbox to when there is none left, quite a few emotions are felt–the strongest of which is humility. To see so many people of different races, nationalities, and creeds come together for this purpose can send a message to the aunties and uncles that they are not alone; that despite the cultural, ethnic, and language barriers that exist, there are people who see them and who wish to help in whatever way they can. The gratitude that was shown to us in their words and in their smiles confirmed that they knew. It also has propelled the SALT Collectiv team and the SALT Collectiv Community (myself included) to do more. And we will do more.

Although my word for this year has changed, the call to serve continues. And it is through initiatives like the SALT Soup Kitchen that I can personally come full circle and give back to a country that has been so good to me for nearly a decade.

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1.) How can I help the homeless in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv hosts monthly volunteer opportunities to serve the homeless in Taipei, Taiwan through our SALT Soup Kitchens. By partnering with local restaurants, our volunteers help prepare, pack and deliver at least 150 warm bento boxes to the homeless community at Taipei Main Station. Volunteering with SALT Collectiv not only makes a lasting imprint for the vulnerable and marginalized, but also makes a lasting imprint in your heart. Be sure to stay updated on volunteer opportunities by following us on Instagram and Facebook, or checking our website.

2.) Where can I volunteer in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv is a nonprofit headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan that hosts volunteer opportunities to serve the marginalized. Volunteer opportunities include serving the homeless through our SALT soup kitchen, orphanage visitations, elderly care, biannual beach cleanups, and our annual Christmas Giving Tree that gives over 1,000 gifts each year to the marginalized all over Taiwan. We also have fundraiser events such as trivia nights, bake sales, F45 workouts, carwashes, and many more. Our FUNdraiser events bring the fun into building our community. Come checkout our community and join the movement.  

3.) Can foreigners volunteer in Taiwan?

Yes! SALT Collectiv is a diverse international community of volunteers uniting for the purpose of making a lasting imprint for the vulnerable and marginalized. There are no prerequisites required to sign up for events and we welcome expats and locals alike to join our community. We ask only that you come with a heart to serve. When individuals come together, dedicating their time and talent to serve the marginalized, lives are touched and communities are transformed. In volunteering, you engage in causes bigger than yourself, cultivate meaningful relationships and positively impact your community.

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Community

SALT Collectiv Beach Clean Ups: Caring For Our Environment

May 4, 2022By

I grew up with Mother Nature being my playground. Any chance I’d get to climb a tree, jump off cliffs, dive into a body of water – you could count me in. In recent years, the ocean has had a pull on me like no other. As I explore the vast, blue, weightless world, I am once again reminded of the beauty of this planet we call home. Yet, just as quickly, I am reminded that we haven’t been the best stewards of our home. 

According to one national geographic report, “there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that mass, 269,000 tons float on the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea. Scientists call these statistics the “wow factor” of ocean trash.”

Big numbers, yes, but unfortunately as staggering as it is, these are numbers we cannot fully comprehend. It’s not in our human DNA to make sense of such numbers. They say “seeing is believing” – isn’t that the truth? We’ve all seen the harm and destruction the waste has on our environment, particularly on wildlife. After all, it was witnessing a plastic straw being pulled out of a turtle’s nose that inspired the world to transition to paper straws. Don’t get me wrong, the entire 2-minute lifespan of a paper straw is a better alternative, maybe. But in all seriousness, changes of such is a great sign because it shows that we care.

It’s sad to admit, however, that on any given day, you could walk out to a beach near you, and you’ll most likely see traces of humanity’s waste washed up along the shorelines. But there is a simple solution to that. It is both beneficial for the environment and our own well-being; beach clean-ups are an important and effective way to bring about change. Now, before you go ahead and disagree, saying, “It’s a futile effort. What’s the point? The trash is just going to wash up in a couple of weeks.” You’re probably right, the trash will eventually wash up again. But why should this be a deterrent, instead, shouldn’t it motivate us to fight even harder? It should be our fuel to recognize not just what we are fighting for but who we are fighting for – the next generation and generations to come.

The SALT Collectiv has incorporated this fight as part of its mission. Joined with other like-minded organizations in the past couple of years to improve the coastal and ocean ecosystem, ensure the well-being of marine wildlife, dispose of waste the right way, and create a safer environment for us all. On top of that, beach clean-ups are a great and practical way to be outdoors – getting some sand between your toes and fostering a community of people who want to be the change they want to see in the world, to paraphrase Gandhi. 

Personally, after attending the last SALT Collectiv beach clean-up event, I felt super accomplished, and for good reasons might I add. A group of us began digging up what appeared to look like bits of fishing net that poked out of the sand, only to find, 4 hours later, it was an assortment of entangled objects, including an anchor. All in all, it had to have weighed over two hundred kilograms but it felt more like a thousand while we carried it over to the designated disposal site. But hey, teamwork makes the dream work, am I right.

So, as we make preparations for our next event, coming up on May 7th at Shimen Kite Beach Park. Once again, we have an opportunity to return the favor to Mother Nature who graces us with her beauty. There’s a quote I heard from the ‘Seapaircy’ documentary that’s become a motto I live by: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”, said the great marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle. I look forward to doing something with you all soon.

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1.) Are there beach cleanup volunteer opportunities in Taipei, Taiwan?

Yes, SALT Collectiv has adopted the Shimen Kite Park beach and hosts biannual beach cleanups there every year, once in May and once in December. The SALT Collectiv biannual beach cleanup is a volunteer community favorite and we get international volunteers from all over come out to volunteer. As a socially responsible group, we aim to do our part in caring for the environment.

2.) Where can I volunteer in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv is a nonprofit headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan that hosts volunteer opportunities to serve the marginalized. Volunteer opportunities include serving the homeless through our SALT soup kitchen, orphanage visitations, elderly care, biannual beach cleanups, and our annual Christmas Giving Tree that gives over 1,000 gifts each year to the marginalized all over Taiwan. We also have fun community fundraiser events such as trivia nights, bake sales, F45 workouts, carwashes, and many more. Come checkout our community and join the movement.

3.) Can foreigners volunteer in Taiwan?

Yes! SALT Collectiv is a diverse international community of volunteers uniting for the purpose of making a lasting imprint for the vulnerable and marginalized. There are no prerequisites required to sign up for events and we welcome expats and locals alike to join our community. We ask only that you come with a heart to serve. When individuals come together, dedicating their time and talent to serve the marginalized, lives are touched and communities are transformed. In volunteering, you engage in causes bigger than yourself, cultivate meaningful relationships and positively impact your community.

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About SALT

Giving Back to Taiwan

April 3, 2022By

As a Chinese born Canadian with a hint of Indian flare, I feel like my parents emphasized on instilling three major values in my life: 1) Inclusivity—giving people an opportunity to feel like they are part of our family; 2) Perseverance—a.k.a Working hard at something despite the challenges and not complaining about it; 3) Gratitude—are you thankful for what you have? My mom would often tell me, “Just be thankful for what you have because others probably have it worse off.” I believe this mentality came from being raised and growing up in one of the poorest parts of the world, India. They witnessed extreme poverty first-hand and understand what it means to live in conditions that were not the utmost best. At the end of the day, they were different. A Chinese family trying to fit into a different country, culture and language. How do you navigate between assimilating into a new culture but still maintain your own heritage? I feel like this question is quite relevant with our ever evolving mixed cultures and diversity in the world now.

I believe what got them through this transition was finding people who understood their situation. They wanted to feel accepted and to belong in a place where they might have not necessarily called home. For me, I’ve reflected on their experience and the challenges that come with picking up and completely moving to a foreign country. How do you make meaningful relationships? Conquer loneliness? I’ve found giving back to community can really kill two birds with one stone. I’ve made some pretty amazing friends and have an understanding that my actions can impact a community that is often forgotten in society. In SALT terms, we call this the marginalized.

I truly believe if we all lived with that mentality of looking out for one another and being more accepting, this world would be a better place. Like my parents’ past experience, living in Taiwan has made me realize the importance of a good and healthy community which in turn can provide someone a better and balanced life. Now let’s say you are in the same boat as me, you’re a native English speaker with no friends, no family, you have a free weekend and you want to volunteer. So what are your options? That is where SALT comes in to fill in that need.

SALT is a place where you can find foreign-friendly, like-minded individuals who want to give a place where they might not necessarily call home but want to give something back to the Taiwanese community. As we’ve connected with so many foreigners, that is a common theme we’ve heard. Being a part of a movement in the city that really doesn’t have something like us and it sets us apart. We are a group of volunteers whose sole purpose is to serve the people who are often forgotten or unaccepted. We help prepare food for the soup kitchen on the first Saturday of every month with the homeless. We play with the kids to build relationships and to encourage them, letting them know that people care about them even if they might feel neglected at home. We throw a Christmas party for the people locked up in prison.

Although our team is small, we are a group of passionate people with a heart to serve. There’s something special and protective about the work we do with these people. Our ability to give them not only a basic human need like food, but also connect with them on a respect level, gives them a sense of dignity. Our Haircut for Homeless program brings together hair stylists to give the homeless new hairdos. There’s something quite special about seeing the smiles past their masks and seeing themselves in a different way.

As we are gaining more traction in the community after our biggest event of the year called #GivingTreeTw, where we donated 1000 gifts to various organizations throughout Taiwan, we’ve experienced a growth in numbers and opportunities that we are still learning to navigate. Most recently we had a soup kitchen, normally limited to 8 people, exceed maximum capacity with 25 volunteers showing up. We have more of a demand than supply which is a great problem to have. How then, do we manage so our volunteers have a great experience and we can aim to serve more food to the needy? These are some things we are in the process of working out. As most of us have full time jobs, we are in desperate need of resources, monetary support and administrative assistance. Our hopes and dreams for the SALT community is to possibly own our own soup kitchen, or even have our own van to take groups of people out of the city to visit the different orphanage homes. For more information about us or if this article has spoken to you, please contact us or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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1.) Where can I volunteer in Taiwan?

SALT Collectiv is a nonprofit headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan that hosts volunteer opportunities to serve the marginalized. Volunteer opportunities include serving the homeless through our SALT soup kitchen, orphanage visitations, elderly care, biannual beach cleanups, and our annual Christmas Giving Tree that gives over 1,000 gifts each year to the marginalized all over Taiwan. We also have fun community fundraiser events such as trivia nights, bake sales, F45 workouts, carwashes, and many more. Come checkout our community and join the movement.

2.) Can foreigners volunteer in Taiwan?

Yes! SALT Collectiv is a diverse international community of volunteers uniting for the purpose of making a lasting imprint for the vulnerable and marginalized. There are no prerequisites required to sign up for events and we welcome expats and locals alike to join our community. We ask only that you come with a heart to serve. When individuals come together, dedicating their time and talent to serve the marginalized, lives are touched and communities are transformed. In volunteering, you engage in causes bigger than yourself, cultivate meaningful relationships and positively impact your community.

READ MORE