Are you taking stock of your blessings and wondering what you can do to help those who are less fortunate?
Area nonprofits could use your help to make the holiday season brighter for families who may be struggling this holiday season, counting on your efforts to keep their bellies full, warm clothes on their backs or to provide gifts for their children.
From serving food at shelters to organizing clothing drives at your workplace to adopting a family, there's plenty to do.
The holidays are a "super-busy" time for nonprofits and there is no shortage of opportunities available to people have a little time to donate, said Jason Willett, spokesman for VolunteerMatch.org, a San Francisco-based online databank for organizations and volunteers.
The website lists specific dates and ongoing opportunities with thousands of organizations in 30 categories.
"In Chicago, there's a ton of stuff to choose from," Willett said. Enter your zip code to find nearly 1,000 volunteer opportunities in the Chicago area.
"There's really no shortage of ways people can help. It's such a rewarding experience and it's something anybody can do," Willett said. "If every American gave one hour, we would have 300 million hours of volunteer service."
Companies, families, groups and individuals interested in volunteering time this season should also consider the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, said Joyce Marks, director of volunteer services for the organization.
During the holiday season, United Way and its more than 400 member agencies can always use a few extra hands, Marks said.
"We're delighted to take any and all. Volunteers are the framework of this organization," she said. "We're absolutely going to find you something. There's so much to be done that once people are introduced to us, they stay with us."
Those interested in volunteering can also go directly to several of the organization's partner agencies, including Catholic Charities and Metropolitan Family Services and the YMCA.
The United Way of Metropolitan Chicago boasts about 9,000 volunteers, Marks said. Although the organization is grateful for any volunteers who sign on to help the less fortunate during the holidays, member agencies look to volunteers for assistance year round.
"We're always hoping our volunteers will want to have a longer term," Marks said.
At the Greater Chicago Food Depository, it's the volunteers "and especially at this time of year, food donations" that keep the food bank running smoothly, said spokeswoman Ruth Igoe.
"Our volunteers are absolutely critical to our organization," she added.
Retirees, high school students, as well as community, youth and faith groups make up the 11,000 volunteers who serve the food bank each year, Igoe said.
Food bank volunteers deliver to food pantries all over Chicagoland, work the shipping docks, perform office work or other administrative tasks, sort, inspect and repack bulk food items.
But it's not just during the holiday season that people should be thinking about who's going hungry in Chicago, Igoe said.
"Right now, we're with our families, we gather together, it's cold outside and the natural thing to do is to think of those who are less fortunate," Igoe said. "Everyone certainly wants to step forward during the holidays, but it's difficult (to place volunteers) because we have so many people."
With an overabundance of volunteers this time of year, Igoe said she encourages groups to donate time during the spring or summer months.
"This time of year, sometimes it's hard for us to find an opening on our weekend shifts, so we ask those people to come back in March. Hunger is a 365-day-a-year problem and a lot of our families are challenged more in the summertime," Igoe said. "And if people can't fit (volunteering) into their holiday schedule, we ask them to remember the food depository during their food drives."
During the winter months, the food bank tries to stock up on high-protein foods, such as canned meats or peanut butter, but staples like pastas, canned soups and rice are always welcome, she added.
Most people would be surprised to find how easy it is to donate an hour or two, VolunteerMatch's Willett said.
After giving just an hour of their time, many find they have a newfound perspective of need in their communities and want to continue to make a difference.
"The best way is to just give it a shot. Find something that piques your interest and then you're off and running. It feels so empowering and it gives you a great sense of fulfillment," Willett said.
For more information, visit VolunteerMatch.org; call the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago at (312) 906-2203 or visit uw-mc.org; or call the Greater Chicago Food Depository at (773) 247-FOOD, send an email to volunteerservices@gcfd.org or visit chicagosfoodbank.org.
[Author Affiliation]
by Mema Ayi
Defender Staff Writer
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