Community Cupboard
Your guide to volunteer opportunities and resource information across the Inland Northwest
Volunteer opportunities
Food bank seeks support
Local food banks are in need of donations and volunteers throughout the year. Last year, the Spokane Valley Food Bank, 10814 E. Broadway in Spokane Valley, provided 1.2 million pounds of food to nearly 11,500 area households. The food bank is seeking volunteers to help on distribution days Wednesdays and Thursdays. A volunteer night at the food bank – typically spent stocking and sorting food – is an ideal service opportunity for Relief Society, Priesthood or youth groups. To find out more, call Connie Nelson at 509-928-7769.
Volunteer at Daybreak
Daybreak Youth Services is a Spokane-based rehabilitation center for teenagers recovering from substance abuse. The agency is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of areas including mentoring, clerical support and distributing meals. Volunteers can also assist with an independent living skills class which involves cooking, budgeting and resume writing. Donating time at Daybreak can make a difference in helping adolescents establish direction, gain stability and learn skills that last a lifetime. To learn more, call Allison Metzler at 509-444-7033, ext. 105.
Join the K9 Crew
The Spokane Humane Society, 6607 N. Havana, is looking for volunteers to provide support for shelter dogs and cats as part of the K9 Crew. Residents donate their time to ensure that animals receive exercise and training. To learn more, visit www.spokanehumanesociety.org.
RSVP to be a senior volunteer
The area chapter of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program lends support to nearly 70 nonprofit programs throughout the Inland Northwest. Last year, the Spokane/North Idaho chapter donated close to 200,000 hours to worthwhile causes including Meals on Wheels and the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort. To learn more about volunteer opportunities through RSVP, call Terri Wallace at 509-344-7787.
Cancer Resource Center volunteers
The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help at one of three Cancer Resource Centers in the Spokane area. The centers provide programs, services and information to cancer patients and their families, friends and caregivers at no cost. Centers are located at Deaconess Hospital and Medical Center, Cancer Care Northwest and Valley Hospital and Medical Center. Training is provided and volunteers set their own schedule. To learn more, call 509-455-3440 or visit www.cancer .org.
Dinnertime at Crosswalk
Want to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth by simply providing a warm meal? The Crosswalk Teen Shelter in downtown Spokane is looking for groups to prepare and serve dinner. Volunteers can provide food for a single meal, on a monthly basis or whatever their schedule allows. To learn more, call Rosemarie Eberle at 509-838-6596, extension 138. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Crosswalk and other Volunteer of America programs, visit www.voaspokane.org.
Juvenile Court Accountability Board
Ever thought about making a difference in the life of a troubled teenager, but not sure how? Spokane County Juvenile Court is providing training for its Neighborhood Accountability Board, a volunteer-based program that provides guidance for adolescents charged with misdemeanor crimes. Volunteers meet with kids and their parents, go over police reports and draw up an agreement that includes community service, counseling, classes through Juvenile Court and other provisions. NAB groups meet in Spokane Valley, the South Hill and North Spokane. Volunteers must be at least 21, have good communication skills and be an objective team member. Call Susan Cairy at (509) 477-2469 for more information.
Delivering food, hope
In the Book of James, the Apostle Paul encourages believers “to visit the widows in their affliction.” Volunteers with Meals on Wheels provide warm food and words of encouragement to homebound and disabled residents throughout the area. Drivers deliver meals on a designated route consisting of between five to 10 clients on a weekly basis. To learn about volunteer opportunities with one of three Meals on Wheels sites in the Inland Northwest, call offices in Spokane Valley (509-924-6976); the city of Spokane (509-456-6597) or Coeur d’ Alene (208-667-3179).
Care Cars seeks volunteers
Care Cars, a nonprofit program sponsored by Elder Services, is seeking volunteer drivers to help transport senior and disabled residents in the Spokane area to medical appointments and other essential destinations. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. Elder Services provides reimbursement for mileage. For more information, call Pam Sloan with Elder Services at (509) 458-7450.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest is looking for volunteers to help with their school-based mentor program. Volunteers visit with kids once a week, usually during lunchtime, to provide support, encouragement and a listening ear. BBBS is also putting the word out for volunteers for its community-based program, requiring a minimum of five hours a month. To learn more about BBBS, see the story in the Sentinel archives from Jan. 25, 2010. For more information on volunteering with the agency, call 509-328-8310 or the North Idaho office at 208-667-0975 or visit www.northwestbigs.org.
Help Habitat for Humanity
Since launching in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built over 350,000 homes in more than 3,000 communities throughout the world, providing safe, affordable homes for 1.75 million people. Locally, Habitat branches in North Idaho and Spokane work to construct homes for low-income residents. Families and individuals who move into Habitat homes are required to contribute to the building process, working side-by-side with Habitat employees and volunteers. Home-building projects make great ward, stake, Relief Society, priesthood and youth service projects. For more information, call Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho at 208-762-4663 or visit www.northidahohabitat.com or call Habitat for Humanity of Spokane at 509-534-2552 or visit www.habitat-spokane.org.
Resource Information
Mobile libraries
Do you or someone you know love to read, but have trouble accessing your local library? The Coeur d’Alene Public Library, Spokane County Library District, Missoula Public Library and Spokane Public Library all provide outreach programs that deliver books, CDs, DVDs and audio books to homebound residents. To qualify for the service, recipients must be confined to home for three months or more. To learn more, call the Coeur d’Alene Public Library at 208-769-2315; the Spokane County Library District at 509-893-8430; the Missoula Public Library at 406-721-2665 or the Spokane Library District at 509-444-5332.
College Bound Scholarship
Washington state is providing a pathway to college for seventh and eighth-grade students from low-income families through a program called the College Bound Scholarship. Students must apply before June 30 at the end of their eighth grade year. Applicants who graduate from high school, maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and stay free of felony crimes will be awarded tuition to any in-state two-year or four-year college or university, plus $500 each year for books. To learn more about the program, call 1-888-535-0747 or visit www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound.
Help for eating disorders
Community Health Education and Resources, a Spokane-based nonprofit agency specializing in health education and awareness, is collaborating with the Inland Northwest Coalition on Eating Disorders to offer help for those dealing with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders. A Web site – www.cherspokane.org – includes a resource guide listing local dieticians, therapists and support groups. CHER also provides programs such as individual and family support groups and educational programs. To find our more, visit the Web site or call Health Educator Leyna Odell at 509-232-8157.
Veterans Outreach Center
Free counseling, support and other resources are available for area veterans and their families at the Veterans Outreach Center, 100 N. Mullan Rd., Suite 102 in Spokane Valley. The center specializes in connecting veterans to financial aid, housing assistance, employment support and medical benefits. For more information, call 509-444-8387. A toll-free support number for veterans called LifeLine can also be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
Diabetes Education Center
Over 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, although many are not aware of it. The often-silent condition is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes, but can be reversed through lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss, healthy eating and regular checkups. The Diabetes Education Center in Spokane sponsors classes on pre-diabetes, diabetes management and other topics. The center is located at 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Suite 245 in Spokane near the Gonzaga University campus. On the first Tuesday of each month, from to 7:30 p.m., the site hosts a free support diabetes support group. To learn more about the pre-diabetes class and other programs, call 509-232-8145 or visit www.cherspokane.org.
Red Cross Health and Safety
The Spokane branch of the American Red Cross offers a variety of educational classes as part of its ongoing Health and Safety program, including courses in CPR/AED, first aid, blood-borne pathogens and other topics. Classes are held at the Red Cross building, 315 W. Nora in Spokane. Prices and times vary depending on the course. To learn more, visit www.spokaneredcross.org or call 509-326-3330.
BYU-Idaho Pathway program
The new BYU-Idaho Pathway program is an introduction to college for youth 18-20 living at home. Students can take online courses for half the cost of traditional college credits. Applicants must complete a one-page form. There are no application fees, SAT/ACT requirements or book costs. Online classes include weekly support and coaching. To learn more about the program and how to apply, call Elder and Sister Thomas, Institute/Pathway missionaries at 509-368-1669 or Elder and Sister Durtschi at 509-927-8409.
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