Charity groups seek volunteers

Most students probably have socks on their feet and mittens on their hands to survive the bitterly cold winter. But some Bloomington residents are not that lucky.\nResponding to a need in the community, the Monroe County United Way, 441 S. College Ave., will decorate its Christmas tree this year with scarves, hats, gloves, socks and other items to keep people warm.\n"We know a lot of people have the spirit to want to give, but they don't know what to give -- we are trying to make it so that everyone has what they need first and what they want second," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, community service council director. "(Bloomington residents) need gloves, hats and mittens, and the tree is a way to contribute and make sure people aren't cold or hungry this season."\nThis year, organizations will strive to provide members of the community with warmth, nourishment and companionship during the holiday season.\nBut United Way is not the only organization providing mittens for cold hands. The Salvation Army, 111 N. Roger St., is running a mitten drive, as well as giving out food baskets and toys. And, the traditional red coin baskets and familiar ringing of the bell can be found at 18 locations around Bloomington.\nSteve Koehler, captain of the Bloomington Salvation Army, said it has a goal of raising $195,000. That will allow the organization to meet holiday needs and provide year-round services.\n"Whether it be bellringing or giving a financial contribution, we just want to extend hope to these families and show them that this community cares about their condition," he said.\nFinancial contributions and bellringing aren't the only ways the community can show it cares this holiday season. The Salvation Army is still accepting new, unwrapped toys for the toy drive, to be distributed Dec. 21. In previous years, the toy drive was only for children younger than age 13, but this year the age has been extended to 17.\n"We've expanded the age range of children we give toys to because we've discovered there's been a need for the 13-17 year olds, which has been overlooked for quite some time," Koehler said. "We'd like to provide those children with at least one toy."\nToys can be dropped off at the Starbucks on Indiana Avenue or the Ames department store on College Mall Road.\nFood donations are needed for about 600 holiday food baskets that will be distributed to low-income families in the Bloomington area, Koehler said. Donations can be brought to the Salvation Army office.\nOther than donations, people can help by volunteering time, Koehler said. Volunteers are needed Monday through Saturday for bellringers at the 18 Bloomington locations. Workers can also help distribute toys and food between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. If interested, call the Salvation Army office at 320-1945.\n"We've had a lot of volunteers so far, and we are very happy and thankful for those who have helped us," Koehler said.\nFor another organization helping out this holiday season, Community Kitchen, volunteer efforts provide support for every meal served. Julio Alonso, executive director, said the organization relies on at least 10 volunteers per day. He said student volunteers compose half of the volunteer base.\nCommunity Kitchen, 917 S. Rogers St., provides meals six days a week year-round. Alonso said the holidays can be a depressing time of year without companionship and food, and Community Kitchen works to alleviate that stress.\n"Our mission is fighting hunger, and that's what we're about here," he said. "We think it's important to use this period of time when people are thinking about these issues to raise awareness. People are in need of very basic resources. We're fortunate to get a lot of community support, which helps us to achieve our mission."\nThe food served during meals at the Community Kitchen is provided by Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Located in Bloomington, it supplies free food to 116 organizations in a six-county area. This holiday season, the food bank is sponsoring many food drives to help supplement the food it normally receives and distributes.\nAssistant Director Dan Taylor said there will be collection sites for non-perishable foods at area Kroger stores for the rest of December.\n"We just want to raise enough food to support all of the different agencies that need it," he said. "So far, we've been getting a lot of people calling on their own and offering to volunteer."\nUnited Way of Monroe County Inc. also encourages people to help during the holiday season, Calender-Anderson said. In addition to creating the Christmas tree adorned with gloves and hats, it compiles a holiday list, which includes all agencies where people can get help and contribute.\n"By giving all agencies a list saying, 'here are the places that have services, this is what they provide,' then we arm every organization with the information to help people get what they need," Calender-Anderson said. \nShe added that most of the staff at United Way just wants to make sure people are served. Although she recognizes the need for help in Bloomington, she said most students, who are usually confined to campus, don't see how vital volunteers are to the community.\n"It's really easy for students not to see it, because campus is a community unto itself," she said. "If students are interested, there are always volunteer opportunities available. Once students seek out the opportunity, it makes a lot of difference in their eyes -- opens their eyes a lot to the larger world." Responding to a need in the community, the Monroe County United Way, 441 S. College Ave., will decorate its Christmas tree this year with scarves, hats, gloves, socks and other items to keep people warm.\n"We know a lot of people have the spirit to want to give, but they don't know what to give -- we are trying to make it so that everyone has what they need first and what they want second," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, community service council director. "(Bloomington residents) need gloves, hats and mittens, and the tree is a way to contribute and make sure people aren't cold or hungry this season."\nThis year, organizations will strive to provide members of the community with warmth, nourishment and companionship during the holiday season.\nBut United Way is not the only organization providing mittens for cold hands. The Salvation Army, 111 N. Roger St., is running a mitten drive, as well as giving out food baskets and toys. And, the traditional red coin baskets and familiar ringing of the bell can be found at 18 locations around Bloomington.\nSteve Koehler, captain of the Bloomington Salvation Army, said it has a goal of raising $195,000. That will allow the organization to meet holiday needs and provide year-round services.\n"Whether it be bellringing or giving a financial contribution, we just want to extend hope to these families and show them that this community cares about their condition," he said.\nFinancial contributions and bellringing aren't the only ways the community can show it cares this holiday season. The Salvation Army is still accepting new, unwrapped toys for the toy drive, to be distributed Dec. 21. In previous years, the toy drive was only for children younger than age 13, but this year the age has been extended to 17.\n"We've expanded the age range of children we give toys to because we've discovered there's been a need for the 13-17 year olds, which has been overlooked for quite some time," Koehler said. "We'd like to provide those children with at least one toy."\nToys can be dropped off at the Starbucks on Indiana Avenue or the Ames department store on College Mall Road.\nFood donations are needed for about 600 holiday food baskets that will be distributed to low-income families in the Bloomington area, Koehler said. Donations can be brought to the Salvation Army office.\nOther than donations, people can help by volunteering time, Koehler said. Volunteers are needed Monday through Saturday for bellringers at the 18 Bloomington locations. Workers can also help distribute toys and food between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. If interested, call the Salvation Army office at 320-1945.\n"We've had a lot of volunteers so far, and we are very happy and thankful for those who have helped us," Koehler said.\nFor another organization helping out this holiday season, Community Kitchen, volunteer efforts provide support for every meal served. Julio Alonso, executive director, said the organization relies on at least 10 volunteers per day. He said student volunteers compose half of the volunteer base.\nCommunity Kitchen, 917 S. Rogers St., provides meals six days a week year-round. Alonso said the holidays can be a depressing time of year without companionship and food, and Community Kitchen works to alleviate that stress.\n"Our mission is fighting hunger, and that's what we're about here," he said. "We think it's important to use this period of time when people are thinking about these issues to raise awareness. People are in need of very basic resources. We're fortunate to get a lot of community support, which helps us to achieve our mission."\nThe food served during meals at the Community Kitchen is provided by Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Located in Bloomington, it supplies free food to 116 organizations in a six-county area. This holiday season, the food bank is sponsoring many food drives to help supplement the food it normally receives and distributes.\nAssistant Director Dan Taylor said there will be collection sites for non-perishable foods at area Kroger stores for the rest of December.\n"We just want to raise enough food to support all of the different agencies that need it," he said. "So far, we've been getting a lot of people calling on their own and offering to volunteer."\nUnited Way of Monroe County Inc. also encourages people to help during the holiday season, Calender-Anderson said. In addition to creating the Christmas tree adorned with gloves and hats, it compiles a holiday list, which includes all agencies where people can get help and contribute.\n"By giving all agencies a list saying, 'here are the places that have services, this is what they provide,' then we arm every organization with the information to help people get what they need," Calender-Anderson said. \nShe added that most of the staff at United Way just wants to make sure people are served. Although she recognizes the need for help in Bloomington, she said most students, who are usually confined to campus, don't see how vital volunteers are to the community.\n"It's really easy for students not to see it, because campus is a community unto itself," she said. "If students are interested, there are always volunteer opportunities available. Once students seek out the opportunity, it makes a lot of difference in their eyes -- opens their eyes a lot to the larger world"