Ways to Serve Your Community

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• May 29
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Serve the Animal Community--Go Vegan!

• January 16
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• July 14
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It's the beginning of the year when many of us kinda, sorta, look at what we're doing, what we'ld like to be doing, etc.... Many of us find ourselves wanting to "do something" but not much time to do it in let alone a consistient time at which to do it.

There are plenty of ways to individually serve your community in small, little tasks. Most communities have some type of a food bank, clothing bank, and school supply program.

Think about buying one can or box of extra of food per week, or spending $5 per month, or what ever fits in your budget. Remember you can maximize your dollar on sales when donating too. Also, a number of folks may not know this but hygiene and paper products are not covered by food stamps. This means toothpaste and toothbrush, laundry dish and hand soap, toilet paper, diapers, shaving products, deodrant products, shampoos, etc... are all the harder for some folks to obtain.

Maybe you are able to commit a few extra dollars on a coat, hat, mittens, or underwear for a k-12th grader when the seasonal sales happen. Imagine yourself in gym class with inadequate underwear come junior or senior high.

Likewise, maybe you are able to pick up an extra school or office supply now and then on clearance or during the July-August school sales.

You may only be able to do a small amount. But, your small amount can mean a lot to someone who has even less. And, when your small amount is added to the next person's small amount it becomes large.

• December 28
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For years in our area, the local American Red Cross have kept a number of household items to assist those who have lost theirs through fire. They are a little specific about what they will take. In part, it has to do with their small storage capability. As they are helping individuals, this list is in constant flux.

Then in the greater area, warehouse space was donated (I'm not sure of the current status) and Share House was begun. It operates somewhat like a bank. Items are accepted through agencies and organizations as well as individuals. The items are then given out to agencies and organizations working in relocation, transistional housing, and other emergency relief programs.

We also have a number of local FreeCycle (Freecycle,org) chapters. A computer listing contact capability is provided for the free exchange of items that would else wise go to the dump. Many a person has increased their life-style through items found in this program. At the same time, the community at large has benefited from reduced landfill volume.

• December 28
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All that you all have talked about are great ideas ,I have over 15or 20 yr of community service ,and i love helping others and will do what ever it take to help my community or any community for that matter
Hannah
Louisville Ky 40203

• December 20
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Most communities have a United Good Way, AmeriCorps Volunteers, Salvation Army, Catholic Community Services, Luthern Family Services, a Jewish ?Family? Services, and some type of an inter-faith council in their area. In most of the areas I've lived, the various religiously based service groups have honestly both served the public irrespective to faith as well as accepted volunteers irrespective to faith. - Of course, cursing up a storm is not encouraged. - Most of these groups have a number of on-going projects or programs at anyone time. More often than not, local United Good Way and AmeriCorps chapters have a database of volunteer oportunities. Often these are available on line. If your area is large enough there are opportunities for individuals and groups both short-term/one-time and longer term.

• October 1
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Another option is to get together with other people in the area and talk about what you would like your community to be like and to support each other to help make that happen in small ways yourselves.

Couple of links:

http://libcom.org/organise/community-organising
http://www.guerrillagardening.org/

• August 31
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Donate and receive unwanted items within your neighborhood and keep useful products out of landfills. Please invite friends and family who could benefit from this free service – the more our community grows, the more your community will benefit.

What kind of stuff is stacked in your garage, shoved into the closet or piled on your shelves? Are you storing knick-knacks, furniture, electronics or clothing that someone else could use?

Gigoit is completely free to use. Our goal is simple: Keep usable items out of landfills.

http://www.gigoit.org

• August 22
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thanks! you can also go to the Nature Conservancy at http://www.nature.org to look up local volunteering opportunities focused on the environment and such

• August 10
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