From 2012 to 2015, my family, along with members of the Sri Sathya Sai Organization, visited the Salvation Army Conroe Community Center every third Sunday of the month to cook and serve hot meals to those in need. I cherished these Sundays with my sister and parents. While my mom cooked delicious meals, I eagerly looked forward to distributing and serving the food. From spaghetti to garlic bread, I enjoyed serving each person, whether they were familiar faces or new visitors. Beyond just serving food, I loved having small conversations with the members of the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States and one of the largest in the world. In 2022 alone, it spent US$3.6 billion on operating costs, assisting more than 32 million people in the U.S. The organization funds feeding centers, homeless shelters, rehabilitation and community centers, and disaster relief efforts. It also establishes refugee camps, particularly for displaced people in Africa. This experience deeply influenced my love for community service and reinforced my belief in giving back to the world, which has given me so much.