Volunteer opportunities
Community Kitchen Holiday Season Meals
The Community Kitchen needs volunteers to help with meal preparation and distribution Monday through Saturday. The center especially needs help on days surrounding holidays, according to a Volunteer Bloomington press release.
Volunteers at the prep shift from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. prepare cold meals, make lunches for after-school programs and help make dinner. During the serving shift from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., volunteers serve meals and help with clean-up.
The Community Kitchen also needs turkeys, hams and cans of fruit and vegetables. Donations should be taken to the 1515 S. Rogers St. Community Kitchen between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Contact Debbie Hopson at 812-332-0999,debbie@monroecommunitykitchen.com
Girls Inc. Winter Break Camp
Girls Incorporated of Monroe County offers a day camp for K-12 girls in Monroe County Community School Corporation. The organization needs volunteers for the Winter Break Camp Dec. 21-23 and 28-31.
The girls take part in activities and receive breakfast and a snack, according to Girls Inc. Some scholarships are available. Campers will go on field trips, make crafts, play games and cook, according to a press release.
Girls Inc. needs volunteers to supervise the planned events, but volunteers may also create their own activities, according to the release. Volunteers will also provide mentorship, and they must be at least 18 years old.
Contact June Taylor at 812-336-7313, jtaylor@monroe.girls-inc.org
Gift Wrapping Elves for LIFEDesigns
LIFEDesigns is a Bloomington-based organization dedicated to serving people with disabilities and their families in south central Indiana.
Throughout the month of December, the group will be looking for volunteers to wrap gifts for LIFEDesigns customers. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
“Many people with disabilities struggle to find friendships,” a volunteer announcement reads. “LIFEDesigns ensures that all of their customers receive at least one gift, so they can experience a bit of holiday cheer.”
Contact Stephanie Shelton at 800-875-9615, sshelton@lifedesignsinc.org
Monroe County United Ministries food drive transportation
Monroe County United Ministries provides affordable childcare and other services to local families in need. Throughout December, the organization needs volunteers to transport food drive donations from the collection sites to MCUM’s pantry. The schedule is flexible.
Contact Steve Thomas at sthomas@MCUM.org
Salvation Army bell ringing
The Salvation Army is a Christian organization dedicated to helping the poor.
From today through Dec. 23 the group is seeking volunteers to collect donations with the traditional holiday kettles and bells at various locations around Monroe County.
Over 400 people participate each year.
To sign up, visit: www.registertoring.com
Gift giving opportunities
Amethyst House Holiday dinner
Amethyst House, which works to help people impacted by addiction and substance abuse issues, needs food donations for its annual Holiday dinner. They are requesting items like ham, turkey and vegetables as well as serving platters and utensils. They need the donations no later than Dec. 12.
The organization is also asking for holiday decorations before Dec. 1 and personal hygiene products, blankets, or winter wear are welcomed anytime.
Contact Gina Lovell at 812-336-3570 ext. 203, glovell@amethysthouse.org
Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington Gift Assistance Program
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington, which work to empower vulnerable young people in the community, provides financial relief to families who are unable to buy gifts for their children this holiday season.
The organization is in need of individuals or groups to adopt a child or family and purchase gifts for them (costing between $40-$80). The donor receives information on the child’s age, gender, interests and clothing sizes before buying the gifts.
Contact Aubrey Hall at 812-332-5311 ext. 15, ahall@bgcbloomington.org
Christmas for the Kids, Inc.
Through this organization children in Monroe County and surrounding areas receive new toys. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at The Herald-Times, Black Lumber, Liberty Family Dentist, Rural King and Cummings Bookkeeping in Ellettsville, Indiana, through Dec. 16. After Dec. 16, the organization will need volunteers to help with the toy distribution and then clean-up.
“Right now we’re just hurting,” Christmas for the Kids Director Bob Sutter said. “We don’t have enough toys, we don’t have enough money.”
Sutter said they need donations for the auction this Sunday, which will raise money for the toys. People who wish to give new or used furniture, electronics (except for old televisions), exercise equipment or other items should contact Sutter on or before this Friday.
Contact Bob Sutter at 812-961-0552, rsutter208@aol.com
Shalom Community Center collection drive
Shalom Community Center, a daytime shelter and resource center for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Bloomington, is requesting donations of winter wear, backpacks and sleeping bags, as well as food donations of turkeys, hams, fresh fruit, pies, jams, canned vegetables and cream of mushroom soup.
The center is also in need of volunteers to work in the kitchen on the days leading up to and after Christmas.
Contact Mark Emerson, 812-334-5728 ext. 23, mark@shalomcommunitycenter.org
Stepping Stones new resident baskets
Stepping Stones, which provides support for youth experiencing homelessness, will welcome three or four new residents this holiday season. They are requesting donations for welcome baskets. These “baskets” contain twin XL size bed sheets and comforters, pillows, a microwave, paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, razors, Tupperware, trash bags and shower mats, among other items.
Contact Melissa Paneto at 812-339-9771, at MPaneto@steppingstones-inc.org.
YMCA Holiday Bazaar
The YMCA’s Holiday Bazaar gives locals the chance to get some Christmas shopping done while giving back to those in need. Volunteers have been making hand knit crochet items like scarves, hats and baby blankets which will be sold at the event which raises approximately $5,000 every year. This year, the bazaar will take place Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to the Monroe County YMCA.
The funds go to the Y for All campaign, through which children and other community members receive YMCA membership.
Contact Gayle Ebel at 812-961-2171, gebel@MonroeCountyYMCA.org.
*If you or your organization has a volunteering or gift-giving opportunity not mentioned here, please email region@idsnews.com.
