As an expat living in Taiwan for nine years now, I can attest to how easy it can be to get comfortable in one’s own  “bubble” without giving much thought to the social issues and challenges that the country faces. When I first moved here I was quite surprised to learn that homelessness was a problem in Taiwan, particularly in Taipei. 

Personally, I would always feel conflicted about how to actually help whenever I would pass by a homeless person in Taipei who was clearly in need. Although those times were few and far between, it remained an unresolved question in my mind. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of homeless people and have a lot of assumptions as to how they ended up on the streets. Over time, homelessness became more of a distant “issue” than about real people in need.

When I first began volunteering at the soup kitchen in 2020, I was overwhelmed upon seeing the need and felt deep compassion for the young and old waiting in line for their meals. It’s easier to overlook homelessness when it’s just a statistic on a page. When I looked into the eyes of the people I was serving meals to, exchanging smiles and greetings, homelessness was no longer just a statistic to me but the face of the one standing right in front of me. As a Christian, I recalled the words of Jesus inviting me to love “the least of these,” each one with a name and each one worthy of love. 

I saw the genuine love from the staff and SALT Collectiv team, and witnessed the meaningful relationships they had cultivated with the homeless over the years. In hearing personal stories,  I learned that the majority of homeless people were on the streets due to circumstances out of their control: long-term unemployment, disrupted family life, mental illness and physical disabilities. Other factors include unwillingness to stay at home and/or work, wanting to be self-reliant, loss of savings and property, and personal decision to be homeless. Regardless of the reasons for homelessness, I was compelled to keep volunteering to not only step out of my comfort zone to love unreservedly (and non-judgmentally) but also to understand how to actually make a difference— a lasting imprint. 

Now that we’re five months into SALT Kitchen, we’re able to cook and pack our own made-with-love bentos. Every delivery to Taipei Main Station is another opportunity for connection and personal interactions with a homeless friend. These exchanges are mutually life-giving, and remind me of SALT Collectiv’s mission to spread the value of giving to culture and society. While we want to fulfill basic needs like a home-cooked meal, we hope these meaningful connections also help to make a true, lasting imprint in the lives of the marginalized.

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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.