Vol. I, No.1, April, 2024, consists of only one piece about an experience volunteering at a local charity devoted to helping hungry children. It inspired the idea for Freeman Review — to combine a love for writing and the arts, with the goal to serve others, with hope that others will want to do the same. If you are a young writer or artist, we invite you to join in Freeman Review’s mission to share works of free expression to inspire a donation to charity. Thank you so much for visiting.

As I work, I glance up at a clock on the wall. I watch as the secondhand reaches the six, and then quietly rolls back to the twelve, like a wave that reaches the shore, then travels back out into the endless blue. The smile of the person next to me hits me with an invigorating glow.

Cans clink together in unison. I listen. Here is where I belong.

A slick plastic package of pears rests atop a still, solid can of chicken. Suddenly, I understand how fragile the world is and how easily a life can break and be driven out forever. Here is where I belong.

I listen to the warehouse doors open and close again and again. The soft repetition, like the sound of icy snowflakes against my window while I’m being hugged by a warm blanket, soothes me. Deafening music harmonizes with the almost silent, sliding sound of packaged bags.

In this magical realm, I don’t have to be who I am, but rather who I would like to become. The more I work, the closer to the clouds I get. Every bag that makes it into the crate is another life into which I can shine my light. Every crate is a community that can be brought together. Here is where I belong.

As I visualize a girl receiving a bag for her backpack, a fire starts in my heart. I work faster. The conveyor belt of love I pour into the bags never stops. The chill of meticulously placed yogurt reminds me of the calm feeling of a full stomach that most take for granted. Here is where I belong.

I am, and we are, an army, fighting the evil of hunger for those who can’t. Even though the goal of eliminating hunger seems unattainable, everyone has a place at the table. Here is where I belong.

When I leave, the balloon that once touched the clouds descends, and I am brought back down to Earth. I will always heat the air, and I will always shine my light. My rise is their rise. My journey of serving others will be an infinite round trip, like a secondhand that reaches the six, and then quietly rolls back to the twelve, and like a wave that reaches the shore, and then travels back out into the endless blue. Here is where I belong.

“Here Is Where I Belong”

by Grace Fundaro

“Here is Where I Belong” is about eliminating childhood hunger, a cause I feel passionate about. If you enjoyed my work, any donation to Save the Children, CARE, UNICEF or the Food Banks on the Donate page would support my particular cause to someday end childhood hunger. Please check out all the worthy causes on the Donate page that deserve your support. Any donation is appreciated. If you donate, let us know through the Contact Us page. Please come visit us again, and spread the word to anyone who might want to contribute, to anyone who might want to donate or to anyone who might enjoy and appreciate what we are trying to do. Thank you for visiting Freeman Review.