Volunteer opportunities

Odyssey Youth Center - Volunteers are needed to serve as mentors and positive role models. Volunteers would provide supervision, help with meals and activities and assist staff and community educators. Greatest need is during drop-in hours. Shifts are approximately two to three hours long: 3:30- 6 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; and 3:30-6 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Friday. Volunteers must be at least age 24 and pass a criminal background check. For more information call Ian Sullivan, operations coordinator, at (509) 325-3637 or email Ian@odysseyyouth.org.

Salvation Army - The Salvation Army Food Bank needs help sorting and handing out food, along with helping clients’ shops and processing donations. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be able to lift up to 25 pounds, have good customer service skills and pass a criminal background check. For more information call (509) 329-2721 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 at least 14 years old and be able to stand for two hours. For more information call (509) 252-6257 or visit www.2-harvest.org.

Serve Spokane - Volunteers are needed for the Food Pantry, one of five of Serve Spokane’s community outreach programs. Duties may include filling bags with food, greeting visitors in the lobby, restocking shelves, or pushing shopping carts out to the parking lot. Other Serve Spokane programs are Clothing Ministry, Special Needs, City Reach, and Project Hope. For other volunteer opportunities call Joyce Walsh at (509) 444-8445, ext. 111. For more information visit www.servespokane.org.

SNAP – Volunteers are needed with experience or skills in basic carpentry, mechanical work, grounds keeping, teaching, or clerical experience to help staff with upkeep and projects, as needed. For more information and other volunteer opportunities call (509) 456-7111, ext. 211 or visit www.snapwa.org.

Spokane AIDS Network - Volunteers are needed to unload and pack grocery bags for approximately 65 local HIV positive residents. Delivery drivers are also needed to deliver the groceries to their homes. Grocery assistants must be able to lift and carry about 40 pounds and stand for up to two hours. Drivers will have to use their own car. A background check is required. To volunteer and for further details call Executive Director Gaye Weiss at (509) 455-8993, ext. 310 or email director @san-nw.org. More volunteer opportunities are available at www.san-nw.org.

Spokane COPS - Community volunteers are needed for assistance with crime prevention. Volunteers will receive professional training by crime-prevention agencies, police officers and officers with the Department of Corrections. For more information, visit any Spokane COPS or visit www.spokanecops.org.

Spokane Valley Partners - Three volunteer drivers are needed to transport food donations to the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank warehouse. Shifts vary Monday through Friday from morning to afternoon. Truck access is preferable and a previous or current commercial driver’s license is encouraged. For more information and other volunteer opportunities call (509) 927-1153 or email volunteer@svpart.org.

SpokAnimal CARE - 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, disinfecting cages, feeding and taking time to hold, brush and play with the cats. Call (509) 534-8133 for more information.

Union Gospel Mission - Volunteers are needed for the men’s and the women’s and children’s facilities. Duties for the men’s facility include clothing room sorters, kitchen help checking in residents, administration duties, pantry/donations managers, and building relationships through teaching classes, evangelism, tutors, etc. Duties for the women’s and children’s facility include updating and maintaining office paperwork; providing security for the facility, such as ensuring the health and safety of all guests; serving as worship leader or game leader; and other general supervision duties. For more information call (509) 535-8510 or visit www.ugmspokane.org.

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery - Certified houseparents are needed for at-risk children in the Spokane community. Shifts are between four and eight hours per week and include diapering, bathing and food preparation. Training will be provided; volunteers must meet state requirements. For more information and other volunteer opportunities call (509) 535-3155 or visit www.vanessabehan.org.

Victims’ Rights Response Team - Volunteers to become advocates for victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Community volunteers will provide medical and legal advocacy, crisis intervention and information referral to victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Comprehensive 35-hour training is provided and commitments of two evening or weekend shifts per month are required and stipends are available. For more information call (509) 343-5005.

Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - To offer nutritious meals three times a week to women and children in need, volunteers are needed to pick up food, serve, clean up the meals, and wash dishes. Experienced prep cooks are needed Monday-Thursday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A food handlers card is required. Volunteers are also needed to manage inventory and electronically keep statistics. Meals are also prepared and sent to Hope House, St. Margaret’s Shelter and Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery on a regular basis. For details call Karen Orlando at (509) 324-1995, ext. 300, email volunteer@wcfrspokane.org or visit www.wcfrspokane.org.

Women’s Hearth - Volunteers are needed to interact with women in an open and accepting manner through one-on-one conversation and small or large group activities. They will need to be available to play games, do arts and crafts, assist staff and help with general cleanup activities. Training will be provided. For more information call (509) 455-4249 or visit www.help4women.org.

This list is a sample of opportunities included on the Spokane County United Way Volunteer Solutions website. For a complete list visit www.unitedwayspokane.org or call for more information about these and other opportunities. If your organization is looking for volunteers, contact Spokane County United Way at (509) 838-6581.