Chili, cookies, and brownies laid out across the tables. Interact members stand over them, smiles on faces, preparing plates for the many AIDS victims at AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD). Eagerly accepting, the patients share their stories with Interact, stories of misfortune and sadness, emphasizing how ASD has saved their lives.
On October 20th, The Junior leadership and service organization “Interact” traveled to the AIDS services of Dallas and cooked homemade food for the residents. The AIDS Services of Dallas serves to provide shelter for people who are struggling through living with AIDS, for paying their medical bills can be extremely economically strenuous. ASD also assists the families of those affected, providing food and education. Although the establishment is helpful to those with AIDS, they are still in need of donations, particularly food.
Interact moderator Mrs. Patricia Gerber revealed, “They have one oven and they don’t really have a stove… it’s almost impossible to prepare food at the location.” Because of this, each Interact member was instructed to prepare their own homemade meal and bring it to ASD, Mrs. Gerber “stayed up all night” preparing enough chili to feed around thirty-five people.
Interact members met at Jesuit, armed with prepared food, including chili, fruit, and brownies, then traveled to the shelter together in a bus.
Abbas Hussein ’17 emphasized how “rewarding” their “bright smiles are,” and continued, “They would tell us their own stories, how they used to be homeless and how the shelter has helped them. It was truly amazing to hear.”
“It was interesting to see how easy to connect with these people,” commented Marc Riccione’17, “They really are normal people that are simply struggling through their illness, and helping them was really worthwhile.”
After serving everyone, Interact enjoyed their meal with the AIDS victims. “They were so grateful,” Riccione added, “I can’t wait to go back in the spring.”
Interact will be returning to ASD in the spring, and the site is also a senior service option, so if any rising seniors seem interested in this site they should contact any interact member or Mrs. Gerber for information.
