Almost every day for the last 10 years there's a familiar face that can be seen at St. Vincent de Paul Society's Drop-In Centre on Second Ave.
Moses Nikal, 66, is the kind soul belonging to that face.
"His heart is this big," said Lynn White, Drop In Centre coordinator, holding her arms out as far as they can go. "He makes you want to cry because he's just so good."
Nikal is the designated dessert-distributor and official taste-tester for everything else made in the Drop-In Centre's kitchen. He's also the keeper of the gate and takes on the task of doorman duty to make sure everyone who enters the centre is sober and respectful, said White.
"He really has a way with the ladies and every day he's got a plan," said White. "He gets along with everybody. They're all his friends. I've never seen him angry at anyone and I've never seen anyone angry at him. He just has a special way about him and it's so nice to see that everyone here respects him. He's amazing. Such a giver and he's part of our family."
Nikal knows his way around the drop-in centre but that's not where it ends for his volunteerism.
"We could almost leave Moses in charge," laughed White. "But when he's done here, Moses isn't really done. He then helps our driver, Earl, in the afternoon. So Moses volunteers here for five to six hours every day and I can't imagine St. Vincent's without him."
St. Vincent has a pickup service for donations for the thrift store, located at 1180 Third Ave., that includes picking up a variety of items including furniture, toys, household items and bags of clothing, added White.
Food donations come in, fortunately, on a regular basis, and one of the most popular items is the leftovers from events held at the Hart Community Centre.
"My weight keeps going up and down," hints Nikal about his weakness for a particular treat. "On Mondays I have cheesecake for breakfast."
And then he shares the rest with those who come to the centre for their meals.
Nikal's reason for volunteering is as simple as it gets.
"I enjoy helping people," he said. "I can't work anymore so I like to help out where I can. I love what I do here."
The Drop-In Centre is open every day of the year and serves between 100 and 200 people each day. It takes about 50 volunteers a week from Monday to Friday to help and then there's another whole contingent that comes for holidays, weekends and evening shifts as well, added White. July 2016 saw 825 volunteer-hours logged at the centre, explained White.
"Last year St. Vincent served almost 100,000 meals - it was 98,900 and something served in 2015," said White. "And that's thanks to all those volunteers. Having Moses working here is like having 10 volunteers combined - we couldn't do it without him."
To volunteer at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Prince George or to donate visit www.ssvdppg.com.
Flip through The Citizen's Volunteer City series, featuring stand-out volunteers in Prince George:
