Tis the season for volunteerism. This month, I am featuring three local organizations that are seeking volunteers. These are perfect opportunities for you and your children to give back. Volunteerism teaches many life lessons: humility, gratefulness, and kindness to name a few, and also allows you to limit screen time and spend quality time together as a family.
The Midwest Food Bank is a volunteer-based national food bank that provides service opportunities and operates through the work of volunteers. Volunteers collect, sort, pack, and distribute food and disaster relief donations. There are several volunteer opportunities for children! For more information, visit http://www.midwestfoodbank.org/volunteer/midwest-food-bank-kids.
The Salvation Army Red Kettle began in San Francisco, California, in 1891 when a resident needed funds to prepare a Christmas meal for 1,000 of the city’s poorest residents. That year, the first red kettle was placed on the Oakland Ferry Landing. Today, the Salvation Army prepares over 55 million meals for the hungry and provides 10 million nights of shelter and Christmas gifts for children throughout the United States each year. The money your family collects as bell ringers will stay local. To become a bell ringer, visit www.registertoring.com.
The South Side Mission is in need of several hundred volunteers on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day to help prepare and deliver over 2,700 meals throughout our community.
If you are interested in helping with the preparation, delivery, or service of meals on one of these holidays, call 309-676-4604 or visit www.southsidemission.org/thanksgiving-and-christmas-meal-ministry/.
The Traveler Weekly 