Mubariz Maqsood says getting involved with volunteer events during his time at McMaster has given him a much deeper understanding of the needs of the marginalized in our society.

“In my experience, reading online or hearing about the troubles that people face is not always an accurate representation of what’s going on,” says the fourth-year Bachelor of Life Sciences student.

“It’s only when you go out and see the direct effects that you truly gain a profound and empathetic understanding of what other human beings, no different than you, are going through.”

Maqsood, who serves as the co-president of the student group Humanity First McMaster, says their Feed the Homeless event held last month once again underscored that for him.

The event, which was a collaboration between several student groups and spearheaded by Humanity First McMaster, saw food packages distributed to over 400 people experiencing homelessness in our community.

“Homelessness is a massive issue in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area, and with COVID-19, the class disparity has only widened,” says Maqsood.

Humanity First McMaster is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization and chapter of Humanity First International, a disaster relief charity organization that aims to alleviate suffering and serve marginalized communities.

Volunteering their time, the students distributed the packages — which contained pizza, bottles of water, juice, granola bars, socks and cleansing wipes — to people in downtown Hamilton and to clients of three shelters in the city’s core. 

“As students that are privileged to be getting a world class education we feel as though it is our duty to ensure we give back to the community that we are studying in,” says Maqsood, who notes it was great to be able to hold an in-person event like this once again.

“Prior to the pandemic, and since 2013, Humanity First McMaster’s Feed the Homeless event was a staple with students and faculty from all walks of life coming together for a unique cause,” says Maqsood.

Humanity First McMaster is aiming to hold another event closer to Christmas to help those experiencing homelessness. Maqsood encourages McMaster students to take part in initiatives like this to broaden their perspectives.

“I urge students that are looking to volunteer to be vulnerable with themselves and willing to try things that they may be uncomfortable with, especially if it helps someone else. Working to contribute to local initiatives is a wonderful way to gain experience while also helping the local community.”

It is National Volunteer Week. For students looking for ways to get involved through volunteering, Student Open Circles is hosting a virtual volunteer fair on May 3rd. Interested students can register here.

McMaster’s Student Success Centre is hosting an online volunteer and job fair on May 4, 2022, featuring organizations looking to connect with McMaster students.