(Floresa Balondo)
Members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Wisconsin (UPAA-W), their families, and fellow community volunteers gathered at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Milwaukee on Sunday, October 25th for the final Feed The Hungry (FTH) volunteer session of the year.
From 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., volunteers served home-cooked Filipino meals to approximately 70 individuals experiencing homelessness.The menu featured chicken adobo and rice, served with pansit, a traditional Filipino noodle dish. Volunteers also distributed brown bags containing snacks, and ripe bananas.
Throughout the lunch, one heartfelt sentiment echoed among those being served: “This food tastes like home.” Some guests even returned for second helpings, a simple yet meaningful gesture that the volunteers received as a genuine expression of gratitude and appreciation for their efforts.
UPAA-W members and their families contributed their time and talents to make the event possible. UPAA-W volunteers included Dr. Violeta Singson, Dr. Pons Salud, Jojo Ramos and her grandson William, Trina and Eli Bando, Roselle Rogers and Terry, Lucy Sloan, and Floresa Balondo and her daughter Saphira.
The presence of family members, including younger volunteers, highlighted the importance of passing on values of empathy, generosity, and community involvement to the next generation.
Joining the group were volunteers from Global 1nspiration, represented by Janette Jordee, Juliet Nowak, and Kathy Carr, who helped serve food and whose participation added to the collaborative spirit of the day. The Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) Clothing Distribution team, represented by Dr. Max and Letty Cueto, Dr. Alice Suaverdez, Benjamin, Liezl and Matthew Sampang, and Gerry Ramos, were also present, and distributed hoodies as the guests were exiting lunch premises.
After their duties were completed, volunteers stayed behind and gathered for a simple salo-salo to celebrate Dr. Violeta Singson’s birthday. The impromptu gathering offered a cheerful close to the afternoon, highlighting the camaraderie and lasting friendships that continue to flourish through UPAA-W’s community activities.
The October 25th session was UPAA-W’s final Feed The Hungry volunteering event for 2026. The association participates three times a year: in April and August, where volunteers serve meals, and the October session where volunteers both cook and serve traditional Filipino meals.
Now in its 16th year, UPAA-W’s Feed The Hungry initiative continues to embody the Filipino spirit of bayanihan—bringing members and their families together in a shared commitment to serving the community. As this tradition continues, UPAA-W remains steadfast in its mission to make a meaningful difference through compassion, volunteerism, and collective action.