BY PAUL FENG

Every first and third Saturday of the month is the happiest time for me.

 

On this day, we arrive early at a Mexican restaurant in collaboration with SALT Collectiv. We work together, washing vegetables, cutting them, cooking, and packing them carefully to make lunch boxes. Around noon, we take 150 lunch boxes, along with our love, and travel by car to Taipei Main Station or Longshan Temple to deliver the lunch boxes to the hands of the homeless.

 

Most of the volunteers are young people in their twenties and thirties. They come to the SALT Kitchen, either recommended by friends or finding opportunities to serve others and seek meaning in life. Among the coworkers, I am probably the oldest. The coworkers call me Papa Feng. Among these young people, there are locals from Taiwan, as well as those who have come to Taiwan to study or work from various parts of the world. Some come from Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while others come from island nations in Central and South America. There are also those who come from South Africa, the United States, and Canada. It’s like a mini United Nations.

 

SALT Collectiv originated three years ago from a short-term mission trip to Hungary attended by several volunteers. At that time, they participated in many ministries to care for impoverished families in the local community. When they returned, one of the brothers who went along raised the question: “Just like Hungary, Taiwan also has many vulnerable people in need of help. Can’t we care for the needy around us, even if it doesn’t mean traveling far abroad?” And that’s how SALT Collectiv was born!

The lunch boxes from SALT Kitchen are all homemade, made with fresh ingredients, balanced and nutritious, and the flavors are often changed. If last week’s lunch boxes had spare ribs, braised tofu, blanched greens, and rice, this week it could be spaghetti, minced pork, cabbage, and braised eggs. Drizzled with sauce and sprinkled with a few scallions, they are delicious in taste, aroma, and appearance. I often hear my coworkers say, “I feel hungry!” Indeed, delicious dishes are very tempting.

Our work begins with prayer, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, and incorporating God’s love into the lunch boxes. Each lunch box has a handwritten greeting from us: “Jesus loves you! We love you too!” Some coworkers don’t know Chinese, so they use Google Translate to find Chinese greetings and then replicate them stroke by stroke, writing down beautiful blessings. Below, they also draw a smiley face or a pair of strong arms with the words “Tomorrow will be better! Keep going!”

 

Delivering the lunch boxes is the climax of the Saturday activities.

 

When we take taxis in batches and arrive at Taipei Main Station, we often see the homeless eagerly waiting. We hand them the lunch boxes, bow to each other, and tell them, “Jesus loves you!” Sometimes, the homeless tell us, “I am also a Christian. I used to go to church. Although I don’t go to church anymore, God is always in my heart.”

 

Although the homeless lack material resources, some of them possess the virtue of helping others and finding joy in it. Every time we deliver the lunch boxes, we encounter enthusiastic homeless individuals who act as our guides, taking us to remote corners and delivering the lunch boxes to those who have difficulty moving.

 

On a hot night, I went to the train station to visit the homeless. In Dongdaemun, I met a familiar female homeless person. She was taking care of an elderly homeless person, allowing him to rest near the automatic sliding door. When she saw me, she proudly said, “I let him sleep here. When the automatic door opens, it brings in cool air.” There was a sense of accomplishment on her face, which deeply moved me.

 

The lunch boxes are very popular and are quickly distributed. It is also time for us coworkers to take a group photo and bid farewell. We strike a pose in front of the camera, and together we shout, “Stay Salty!”

 

The Bible says that we Christians are the salt of the earth, adding flavor to other people’s lives.

 

At SALT Kitchen, our lives grow together, and our souls are uplifted together. We also hope to bring God’s blessings to the people around us.

—

  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.

 

  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 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.  

 

  1. 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.