April is National Volunteer Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the nation. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or someone looking to make a difference for the first time, there are countless opportunities for you to get involved.
Here are ten ways you can get involved during National Volunteer Month and beyond:
1. Support a Local Food Bank: Food insecurity remains a significant issue in many communities. Help sort donations, pack food boxes, or distribute meals through organizations such as Cornerstone Assistance Network, Northside Inter-Community Agency, and Tarrant Area Food Bank.
2. Become a Mentor: Offer guidance and support to young individuals by becoming a mentor. Programs like Tarrant To & Through Partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Girls Inc. provide opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of local youth.
3. Host a Clothing Drive: Organize a clothing drive where your family collects new or gently used clothing from friends and neighbors to donate to organizations such as SafeHaven of Tarrant County and The Ladder Alliance.
4. Get Your Hands Dirty at a Community Garden: Community gardens like Southside Community Gardens, Unity Unlimited, INC, and HSC Community Gardens promote sustainable food production, fight food insecurity and foster a sense of community. Volunteer by planting, weeding, or harvesting fresh, nutritious produce.
5. Assist at an Animal Rescue: Assist with caring for animals in need by volunteering at a local animal shelter or rescue organization. The Humane Society of North Texas, Don’t Forget to Feed Me, and Buster’s Friends are just a few organizations that rely on volunteers to help with feeding, socializing and walking animals.
6. Serve on a Board: Nonprofits need strong boards to provide guidance, oversight, and support for their mission and operations. BoardBuild offers online, self-paced training to prepare volunteers for serving on a nonprofit board.
7. Support Senior Citizens: Organizations such as Meals on Wheels, James L. West Center for Dementia Care, and Sixty and Better provide opportunities to volunteer with seniors. Whether it’s through companionship visits, grocery shopping assistance, or technology tutoring, your support can make a meaningful difference.
8. Join a Cleanup Crew: Take part in initiatives to protect and preserve the environment by volunteering for clean-up events. Join efforts to remove litter, restore habitats, and promote sustainability through organizations like Trinity Regional Water District, Trinity Coalition, and River Legacy.
9. Volunteer at a Shelter: Homeless shelters not only provide warm meals and protection from the elements, but they also provide supportive services to end the cycle of homelessness. Presbyterian Night Shelter, Union Gospel Mission, and DRC Solutions rely on volunteers to serve meals, organize donations, assist with building maintenance, or provide enrichment activities to those experiencing homelessness.
10. Offer Your Professional Skills: Volunteer your skills to help nonprofits deliver critical services to communities nationwide. Digital platforms like Catchafire connect nonprofits to volunteers providing pro–bono services, such as graphic design, language translation, strategic planning and more.
