Ep. 45 - A Partnership in Action: Caritas & Umbra - Volunteering at the Don Gualtiero Soup Kitchen (Episode 1)

About this episode

This episode explores the impact of volunteering with Caritas and the role of international students at the Don Gualtiero Soup Kitchen.

In this episode of the Umbra Institute Podcast, we’re joined by Alfonso Dragone, Director of the Saint Lawrence Charity Foundation in Perugia, along with two of our student volunteers, Lydia and Belle. Together, they offer a closer look at what volunteering with Caritas truly means, exploring its impact on the local community and the unique role international students play in supporting those in need. This first episode in our Caritas–Umbra collaboration series introduces the partnership and highlights the meaningful experiences of volunteering at the “Don Gualtiero” soup kitchen. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll dive into solidarity emporiums and the student-led workshops that further enrich this collaboration.

People in this episode

Guests: Alfonso Dragone, Lydia, Belle

Topics covered

• volunteering
• community impact
• international students
• charity
• soup kitchen
• partnership

Keywords

• volunteering
• Caritas
• soup kitchen
• international students
• community support
• charity work

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Saint Lawrence Charity Foundation, Caritas, Umbra Institute

Places: Perugia, Don Gualtiero Soup Kitchen

More episodes of The Umbra Podcast

• Ep. 44 - The City as a Classroom: A Conversation with Umbra Director Zach Nowak · March 12, 2026 · 21 min
• Ep. 43 - International Foods in Perugia: A Student Exploration · February 3, 2026 · 10 min
• Ep. 42 - Tables of Italy: Agriturismo · December 19, 2025 · 16 min
• Ep. 41 - Exploring Italian Dialects · November 19, 2025 · 18 min
• Ep. 40 - Ready for Perugia: Preparing for Your Study Abroad Journey · October 29, 2025 · 20 min
• Ep. 39 - Beyond the Big Trips: Affordable Adventures from Perugia · August 28, 2025 · 24 min