Jack Molter is a 9th grader at Hamline Church, and a longtime ice cream scoop extraordinaire. He was confirmed last year, and enjoys playing lacrosse and hockey. This week, we interviewed him about how volunteering with the Dining Hall helps him live out his Christian faith.

When did you first start volunteering at the Dining Hall?

I first started volunteering at the dining hall when Good Shepherd and Hamline first merged in June of 2010. My dad had always worked in food, and it was a great way to meet new people. Even though some of the people for Good Shepherd merged as well, it was still hard for me. I have a very vivid memory of 8 year old Jack wanting a vote because I didn’t want to leave the church. But now I am the exact opposite of him. I am so grateful for the incredibly welcoming arms of the dining hall and I strongly encourage new members or just anyone who has never worked to sign up for a shift or two or eight.

What is your favorite job at the Dining Hall?

My favorite job at the dining hall is definitely Ice Cream. Along with scooping, I really like interacting with all of the different people who come to get Izzy’s Ice Cream. I love volunteering because I like to think that me, along with the Ice Cream can help brighten people’s day. Just being a friendly face able to say hello is one of the reasons I keep coming back to ice cream instead of getting paid to work in the kitchen. I remember when we first started serving ice cream, and I would beg my dad and John Jakel (who is in charge of all Ice Cream Operations, if anyone hasn’t seen his friendly face around church), to let me help up front at the Izzy’s booth even though I wasn’t old enough. Ever since it came to the dining hall, the Ice Cream station was always my favorite.

Why do you keep coming back to work with the Dining Hall?

Hands down the best part of the Dining Hall is seeing the people smiling. Our Dining Hall has a distinct effect on people. Here, it seems like people can’t be in a bad mood. I’ve seen countless faces light up when they see their California Burger being flipped on the griddle or their Church Elderberry cone emerge from the depths of the cooler. Our food makes people happy, and the fact that I can contribute to making people feel joy, and help out our church, makes it impossible for me to stay away. I already signed up for all three days of the car show, and you all should sign up for a shift too.

How does volunteering at the Dining Hall connect you with other members of the church?

Volunteering at the dining hall is the first way I really connected with people when first coming to the church like I said before, but I’ve still made many new friends in my time at the dining hall. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. Especially if you work multiple shifts you’ll meet a whole lot of great, new people that you’ve either never met at church or maybe just never had a chance to talk to. I’ve met new people, old and young that I would have never talked to, and I’m grateful that the dining hall helped me make those connections.

How does volunteering at the Dining Hall help you live out your commitment to a Christian life?

The Dining Hall helps me to make sure I do my part to help others. Helping others is a very important part of living a Christian life and the Dining Hall helps me fill that part of my commitment. Hamline Church does so many great things to help out the community, like the sprout garden, bread oven, social justice committee, and our refugee ministry. I’m glad that I can help raise money to support all these great causes is another huge reason You and I should both work at the dining hall. I hope to see you at the Dining Hall this year, and many to come.