At Project Open Hand we rely upon more than 125 volunteers every day to help prepare, package and deliver nutritious meals and distribute groceries to sick and elderly neighbors. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we will be spotlighting the stories of our wonderful and dedicated network of volunteers who have been helping us fulfill our mission of delivering "meals with love" since 1985.
Fred Siegel has been volunteering on the meal assembly line at Project Open Hand for the past two years with his partner Ernie and his community of close friends.
Fred has always been drawn to serving his community. He discovered this while attending Catholic grade school in Philadelphia, seeing the communal lives of nuns and getting a thrill out of helping them with small tasks. As he got to know the religious community of priests in high school, he envisioned a future for himself in the church. So he attended a seminary for the next nine years and was ordained as a diocesan priest in 1974. After serving in four parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, he sought a change in his ministry. So he asked the local Cardinal-Archbishop if he could become a military chaplain, a college campus minister or a high school teacher; but the answer was always “no.” Fred then knew he could not sustain this way of life any longer. He knew he could not make a difference for others, if he was not allowed to live up to his full potential. Therefore, Fred decided to leave the active Priesthood and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
With $1,100 in his pocket, Fred drove across the country to a city in which he’d only visited once: San Francisco. He worked in various jobs at an office supplies store and the St. Francis hotel, and at age 42, he found an opportunity to work as a flight attendant for American Airlines, where he would stay for the next 25 years. With his plethora of experiences, he is able to share hours of stories about his community of flight attendants and the passengers he served, especially seniors who were so grateful for little things. “They became my ministry,” he said.
Fred’s zest for life and commitment to service led him to volunteering at Project Open Hand. “Without Project Open Hand, how would I continue my ministry now?” he asked.
Fred with kitchen staff and volunteers
What does “meals with love” mean to you?
The other volunteers and I care about what we’re doing. When I’m on the line plating food, I try to make it look nice and keep it sectioned. I think about who is going to eat the meal and how it will keep that person alive. And we’re doing this out of love for people we don’t know because we want to make a difference.
How has Project Open Hand impacted you personally?
I used to be easily intimidated by people in prestigious and authoritative positions, such as my professors in the seminary, and the Pastors in my Parishes. However, I no longer feel this way, especially at Project Open Hand. Everyone is so nice, and I feel like we’re all one family. It’s funny to me that some people in the kitchen say “Chef.” I feel so welcome and part of the Project Open Hand community, and I just call him Adrian.
Why would you recommend volunteering at Project Open Hand?
One word: community. People are so caring and open. We keep each other aware of what’s going on in our lives.
What’s on your bucket list?
Travel! Pompeii and Mykonos are high on my ever-changing list. Since I was a flight attendant for 25 years, I earned lifetime travel benefits which I have been using extensively.
Is there a story that stands out to you from your days as a flight attendant?
Ah, just one story? There are many stories including famous people such as Tony Bennett. What a nice man! For the entire flight, he wore his suit jacket and unassumingly read his sheet music. He exuded such warmth and kindness. And then there was Diana Ross! It took some time for her to warm up to me in the beginning, but we turned out to be best buddies by the end of her flight.
What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
Fred smiled. That I was ordained a priest! I kept this a secret for years, because I felt a bit of guilt about having left the ministry. But I don’t feel that anymore, because I gave it my all and did the best I could.
What’s your favorite song?
“I Am What I Am” -- the Gloria Gaynor version. I would cry to that song. I would dance to that song. And when I hear it, it brings back so many memories.