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.