volunteers

Odyssey Youth Center – Volunteers are needed to cook meals for local youths who may not get a hot, wholesome meal at home or anywhere else. Meal preparation would be for 10-20 people in a house-sized kitchen, Wednesdays through Fridays, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Joel Williamson, volunteer coordinator at (509) 325-3637 or visit www.odysseyyouth.org.

Page Ahead – Page Ahead Literacy’s Program is looking for volunteers to be story time readers to read to children in preschool and kindergarten classrooms during the 2010-2011 school year. Training is provided and schools are located throughout the Spokane, Spokane Valley and surrounding areas. Volunteers can choose a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly schedule and must commit for a full school calendar year. Volunteers must agree to a background check. This is an on-going opportunity. Call (509) 789-3706 or email spokane@pageahead.org.

Salvation Army – The Salvation Army Food Bank is in need of volunteers to help sort and hand out food, along with helping clients’ shops and processing donations. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, be able to lift up to 25 pounds, have good customer service skills and pass a criminal background check. For more information call (509) 325-5005 or visit www.salvationarmyspokane.org.

Second Harvest Inland Northwest – Second Harvest is in need of volunteers to help sort and pack produce, food drive or bulk food items in preparation for delivery to the food bank’s emergency food outlets. Volunteers must be 14 years of age and older and be able to stand for two hours. For more information call Julie at (509) 252-6242 or visit www.2-harvest.org.

Sierra Club, Upper Columbia River Group – Many volunteer opportunities to work in the outdoors and for those who are enthusiastic about keeping the environment clean. Call Chris Bachman at (509) 280-8159 or visit www.sierraclub.org/ico/ Spokane.

SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. – Volunteers who are at least 15 years old are needed to help maintain a healthy and sanitary environment for SpokAnimal’s cats. Includes assisting in cleaning litter pans, thoroughly disinfecting cages, feeding and taking time to hold, brush and play with the cats. Call Kandace Watkins, outreach and volunteer coordinator, at (509) 534-8133.

Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels – Volunteers are needed to deliver hot meals to elderly and disabled people in Spokane Valley. Volunteers will also need to check on the well-being of each person on their route. Volunteers may choose to drive a route any day, Monday through Friday, or drive as a substitute on flexible days. Meals will be picked up at 11 a.m. and delivered to approximately 15 people and delivery time is approximately 90 minutes. Volunteers are also needed to help prepare meals for elderly and disabled people. All skill levels are needed. Volunteers must use their own vehicles to deliver meals and must pass a background check. For more information, call Pam Almeida, executive director, at (509) 924-6976 or visit www.valleymow.org.

Spokane Valley Partners – Volunteers for an administrative assistant to the program director to maintain the volunteer database; six-month commitment, up to 10 hours per week; assist in the recruitment and hourly tracking of volunteers involved in seasonal programs, food bank and clothing bank. Contact Connie at (509) 927-1153, ext. 18.