"Next!" The lady at the front desk barked. A slim woman of around 25 years of age shuffled towards me. Two tiny twins followed pushing a dirty white stroller with a pink plump baby.

"This way ma'am..." I gesture as my partner lead the way past giant chartreuse banners that read 'Vineyard Food Bank Glendale, Az' My hands with a mind of their own, fidgeted furiously with a piece of torn paper as we entered the adjacent room.

Being rookies, we started right away asking the general questions: what was her income, where did she live, and how many people in her household?

"Mom? When are we gonna pray?" The toddlers asked as they pulled on their mother's worn shirt. I was astonished. The Vineyard Church custom was to pray at the end of each little session with the family; however, rookies as my self were not obligated to do so. Until the moment that those two boys grabbed my hands and bowed their heads in unison and started praying. A minute part of me was embarrassed about praying with strangers but their soft hands reassured me that it was okay to pray.

"Here. Have some of these for being good boys." I voiced as I handed them Jolly Ranchers. The brothers bounced off the walls, beaming with happiness as they accepted the candy.

A subtle fragranced arose as we entered the next room. My hands, which had been sweating  and fidgeting, were now motionless and dry. I smiled as I saw them off to the pick up area. The woman, pushing the stroller and halting ever slighting to scold the boys for running, had the same expression as when she entered: sad and lonely.

The rest of the time, I was confident about every part of the session. I was no longer ashamed of praying because why should I be ashamed of doing something so very natural and blessing?

"Excuse me? Do you need a ride?" I blurted out when I saw the woman with her two sons and her baby.
"I... I really don't want to trouble you." She whispered.

"Oh don't worry! My mom wouldn't mind." My mom would definitely mind but I couldn't just leave her. Her deep sigh created smoke in the December air.

As she put in her baby in the car, her eyes became creeks of hot pain. The whole way to her house, Jesse told us about her struggles both emotional and financial. Her live was full of trials. She had lost her husband and now she was so busy she didn't have friends.

"Thank you for listening to my silly troubles. And I'm sorry for making you drop me off all the way here. I couldn't ask for more." Her eyes now looked relieved and relaxed. People, regardless of their troubles, should always feel human and have contact with friends. Nobody can make it on their own.

" If you need anything, a shoulder, an ear, or a friend just call me. Okay?" My mother whispered as she hugged her. Her eyes lightened with hope.
I realized then, that community service was not just to have hours for college opportunities, but to also give people hope in which ever way that could be possible. I wanted to give people hope. That hope that was irreplaceable.