The Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club held its inaugural community service project on July 20, partnering with Camden’s Cathedral Kitchen to prepare and serve meals to more than 300 people.
The event marked a significant milestone for the newly chartered club, which has roots in a pre-COVID organization known for its community service and was officially chartered in March. The club chose to partner with Cathedral Kitchen for the project to honor the traditions of the former Gibbsboro-Voorhees Lions Club.
“Part of our motivation for partnering with Cathedral Kitchen was to try to resurrect some of the old club’s traditions while also serving the South Jersey community,” said Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club secretary Mimi Hadi.
While Cathedral Kitchen handled much of the planning for the community service project, the club provided volunteers.
“Our organization mainly provides the volunteers to help with food preparation and serving,” Hadi explained.
The project had its memorable moments. One that stood out to volunteer Michelle Agin was the realization of how many people were being fed.
“It really stuck with me how many people out there need help,” she noted. “I felt honored to serve, and the gratitude from these people when they received the meals gets me emotional still thinking about it.”
Volunteers also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve including, Urmi Desai, who praised the teamwork that went into planning the project.
“It was an honor representing the Lions Club and supporting the community,” she said.
Sapana Shah Raval, vice president of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club, highlighted the broader impact of the project.
“It helped create a strong foundation for our club and our community,” she pointed out. “It’s the beginning of an amazing journey filled with new opportunities and experiences.”
The club plans to partner with Cathedral Kitchen again in August and October and is already organizing a series of fall events, including fundraisers, a community lecture on diabetes and sleep apnea, a 5K run for diabetes and a pancake breakfast with Santa. it is also working on partnerships with other community service groups in South Jersey.
The objectives of the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club include bringing the community together, providing education on health and wellness topics, raising funds for those in need, providing vision screenings for local schools and supporting local businesses through partnerships.
For more information about the club, visit its Facebook page or email Hadi at [email protected].
