Jan. 18, 2021, is the day that the nation celebrates a great Civil Rights Leader’s life by having a Day ON not a Day OFF. This is a federal holiday that encourages all Americans to volunteer to improve their local communities. Many cities participate in this day of service by providing opportunities for their residents to serve their community.
Local food banks are always looking for volunteers to serve in their distribution centers. This type of opportunity is perfect for large groups such as churches, boy/girl scouts, and corporate since the facility is typically large and works much like an assembly line. Each station places a food item in a box, then pushes it to the next station for the next item and etc.
Soup kitchens also provide volunteer opportunities for anyone willing to help out. In this situation, you may end up cooking, cleaning, or prepping the food. Depending on the site and services provided. Some of these kitchens do have showers and even sleeping areas for the needy. Volunteers will be given tasks such as distributing toiletries for recipients to bathe with. Setting up sleeping areas with either cots or mattress pads will also be needed.
Volunteering in an animal shelter is an opportunity to give back. Shelters usually run with a few paid staff members then the rest are volunteers. The tasks will include, but not limited to cleaning kennels, feeding animals, administrative, and playing with some of the animals.
But if you feel that the mentioned volunteer opportunities aren’t personal enough, consider doing solo service projects. Here’s a list of things you can do for other people in your circle of friends or in your local community:
- Buy groceries for a family in need.
- Mow your neighbor’s lawn.
- Clean someone’s house.
- Wash someone’s dishes.
- Do their laundry, especially if their clothes look dingy.
If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, check out NationalService.Org for ideas.
