I have wanted to volunteer more regularly. I used to devote many many hours in high school to this. It was easier then because I was more involved at church and on a committee where I could do this often. Not to mention that I didn't have as much work on my plate....
I was even pretty active in college. I volunteered at random things, and even tried my hand at a co-ed service fraternity on campus, but quit when it seemed everyone involved was more focused on drinking and partying than volunteering.
Since college and high school, I have found it much harder to find volunteer opportunities. Since I am not as involved in a church, where a lot of volunteer opportunities are available, I am having a hard time finding volunteer opportunities. Which brings me to the beginnings of the list.
Below is a small (but hopefully growing) list of local (well, local to me...and possibly you...) opportunities to volunteer your time if you so choose.
1. Feed My Starving Children- This is a permanent packing site where you can go and pack food for residents of third world countries. They say it a lot eloquently here, on their website.
- My assessment: AWESOME.
- Why? It's a good experience, just enough time (not too long, not too short), family friendly, and though it is a religious organization, it is solely about the religion.
- What you do: It's super easy to register online, and they send you a reminder email. You go 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time, but if you get there 5 minutes before or at your scheduled time, that's ok too. Then you check in on their computers where you get there, and they give you a lovely hairnet to wear! There is a small presentation in the beginning of the shift. Then you wash your hands, listen to the directions on how to do it, pick a table, and get to work! You might even make some friends at your station :) After your shift, you can go pray over the food that will be sent out, or opt out and wait in the gathering area (it's not weird, I promise. I've done both and no one makes you feel like crap if you choose not to pray over the food!). The staff gives everyone a small presentation about who they are helping by packing food and they ask you for a donation if you want, but you're not required to donate (and no one makes you feel pressured). I have gone twice now, and my mom bought me a shirt, which is considered a donation (and I wear it all the time! It's so comfy!) There are all kinds of jobs- scooping food, weighing food bags, sealing food bags, packing boxes with food bags, etc.- so it's family friendly. They also have lots of shifts to accommodate your schedule too.
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2. The Northern Illinois Food Bank- They have three sites to volunteer at, but I will most likely visit the North Suburban Center in Park City, as it is only 20 minutes away from my house. I haven't been there yet, but I have wanted to give it a try ever since a friend told me about it on Facebook! It is a food pantry that provides food for families in 13 different counties that need it most. What's better than helping your neighbors with their basic everyday need to eat? It seems they also have many different opportunities that include both volunteering and donating. I'll let you know when I check it out!
3. Save-A-Pet- I did this in college a few times after I got trained and I LOVED it! Needless to say, I spent most of my time in the bunny room, and also got to play with cats and walk dogs around the yard. It was a good experience. From what I remember, you have to go and do about 30 minutes of work- cleaning out dog and cat food bowls, collecting and folding laundry, etc. before you can play with the animals, but it's fun! They don't normally take people unless you can make a training session and then commit to going at least once a week. I am looking forward to doing this in the future :) Maybe even take home another kitty? Kitty-Shorts McMeowy?
Any places that you know of around here that you want to add to my list? Suggestions welcome!
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