3 places to find volunteer opportunities

The following suggestions on where to find volunteer opportunities are just a few of the many possibilities available for those who want to make a difference.

• Feeding the homeless and the poor is a vital activity that is performed by non-profit organizations and religious institutions, and more volunteers are always wanted.
• Most towns have at least one program dedicated to cooking and serving meals to those for whom affording food on a daily basis is a struggle.
• To connect with soup kitchens in your community, do a simple online search for "feeding the homeless" or "free meals programs" along with the name of your town to see what kind of operations are in effect.

• One of the best ways to offset global warming, reduce air pollution, and add some green to the neighbourhood is by planting trees. A local action with worldwide effects, tree planting programs have taken off across Canada in recent years.
• Although many organizations have government funding, they mostly rely on volunteers to do the actual planting.
• To find volunteer opportunities planting trees in your town, check with the local community development department or search online to find out more about programs across the country.

• Another area that often needs volunteer support is assistance for senior citizens with limited means. From meal delivery programs that bring food to the house-bound elderly to shopping programs where you can accompany a senior citizen to the store and help carry their merchandise, the need is great in most parts of the country.
• To connect with an organization, contact your local senior centre. They are usually staffed by a volunteer coordinator who will have a full list of their needs available for you to choose from.