Volunteer Opportunities for the Holidays
We’ve had quite a few people ask us about volunteering for the holidays- and especially on getting the kids involved. Unfortunately, soup kitchens require children to be 16, but here are some other ideas as well, for the younger set. Do you know of something we’ve missed? As always, you can post at the bottom of this article to share with other readers!
Happy Holidays.
In the essence of time, we have compiled a very quick and dirty list (please forgive that its not our usual award winning editorial style!) .
Lists soup kitchens in New Orleans:
http://www.dss.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=118
Second Harvest Food Bank
Families with children 9 and up can volunteer in the warehouse helping to organize/distribute food/etc.
the community kitchen is for adults, volunteering on a regular basis, 16 and up
504-734-1322
, 700 Edwards Ave., N.O., LA 70123
no-hunger.org volunteer coordinator- projects for children- 504-729-2849, Katie Quinn, cquinn@secondharvest.org
List of FAQs about volunteering with second harvesters:
http://no-hunger.org/TakeAction/Volunteer/VolunteerFAQs.aspx
What do volunteers do at Second Harvest Food Bank?
There are three main volunteer opportunities: warehouse work, administrative / office work and special events / projects. The majority of our volunteer work is in the warehouse. Volunteers are also needed for special events and projects including food drives, the annual Harvest the Music concert series, winter citrus gleaning, and much more.
What can volunteers expect to do in the warehouse?
Volunteers may work on: Repack, Volunteers sort donated food from a conveyor belt into different categories — dry goods, soups, beverages, and more. These sorted items are then boxed, weighed and prepared for distribution to our member agencies.
Salvage, Volunteers sort through donated food items in order to determine what food is fit for consumption. Volunteers examine expiration dates, overall condition and integrity of packaging, etc. This work is done outdoors under a protective covering.
Backpacks, Volunteers pack nutritious foods and snack items into bags that are to be distributed to children who are food insecure through 13 designated schools in our service area.
What do I need to do to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank? Can I just show up?
Ask that volunteers schedule shifts in advance. Contact the Volunteer Services Department and to check our schedule for open shifts. You must be added to our daily roster before volunteering. We will ask you to complete a volunteer registration form beforehand or when you arrive for your shift.
What age must children be to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank?
Volunteers must be at least 9 years old. Adult supervision is required for children 13 and younger to ensure the safety of our visitors and productivity.
Children younger than 9 are encouraged to get involved in the fight against hunger in other ways. Organizing a small neighborhood food drive is a great way for a younger child to learn the importance of helping their community.
Catholic Charities
Two Programs:
Food for Families/Seniors program
Adopt a family and donate food programs
504-523-3755
, 1000 Howard Ave., N.O., LA 70113,
www.ccano.org
Food for Families/Seniors program,
1-800-522-3333
,
225-357-9099
Drives and holiday donations- Thanksgiving/Christmas- adopt a family and donate food- can collect with your own family,
504-310-6961
– volunteer services:
http://www.ccano.org/volunteers/drives-and-holiday-donations/
any age and level: you can adopt a whole family, or just donate one thing.
Food Basket ~ Christmas – include gift card for turkey/ham – No Perishables Please!
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Adopt-An-Angel ~ purchase a gift for a child/adult in one of our programs
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Adopt-A-Family ~ brighten a family’s Christmas with new clothing, gifts, household goods, food
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Adopt-A-Program ~ blankets and bedding for shelter families, toys and clothing for Head Start kids
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Stuff Stockings ~ pack stockings with special gifts for our seniors (examples: hard candy, gloves, warm hat)
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Gift cards are always welcomed!
Here is the link to the Christmas adoption form ( note- everything is DUE on the 16th so hop on this if your’e interested!)
http://www.ccano.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2011-Donor-Adoption-Form-Christmas1.pdf
HOLIDAY EVENTS
TOY DRIVE- FORGOTTEN ANGELS
Give back this holiday season by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy or new warm winter clothes into the brightly decorated donation box in the porte cochere/driveway of the hotel. All gifts will go to the Ozanam Inn’s Forgotten Angels event on December 10th, which provides a warm holiday meal, toys and warm clothes to the nearly 250 homeless children of New Orleans. For more information, contact Char Thian at
504-670-2817
or
char.thian@ritzcarlton.com
.
Elmwood Self Storage & Wine Cellar
Participating in Toys for Tots
1004 South Clearview Parkway
Harahan, LA 70123 Now Accepting NEW and UNWRAPPED toys through the 17th of December. OFFICE HOURS:8:30 am – 6:00 pmMonday – Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Sunday