22 | FEBRUARY 9 • 2023
I
n speaking with organizations after the
New Year, I learned that January and
February are often referred to as the
“forgotten months” after the rush of vol-
unteerism during the holiday season. It is
crucial that we continue to step up and help
where and when we can. Below you will
find many opportunities to do just that.
Get packing with NEXTGen Detroit and
Repair the World Detroit at their ninth
annual Seeds, Snacks & Six Packs event for
Keep Growing Detroit on Feb. 22 from 6-8
p.m. Bring your friends for a fun night of
doing good, learning, meeting new people
and enjoying some yummy craft brews at B.
Nektar Meadery in Ferndale. Keep Growing
Detroit provides farmers, community and
family gardens within the city of Detroit
with seeds and seedlings to help promote
food sovereignty. This event is intended for
young adults ages 21 to 39. Dietary laws
observed and vegetarian-friendly. To sign
up, contact Rachel Klar at Klar@jfmd.org.
A Girl Like Me Inc. is a nonprofit orga-
nization that assists girls from ages 11 to
25 — teens, teen moms, moms and anyone
who could use a friend. The staff provides
a listening ear, provides resources and helps
participants build the life of their dreams.
The organization is in need of donations
sorters. Contact Tyra Moore at
agirllikeme2007@gmail.com to sign up.
The Temple Israel Sisterhood House
Tour is back for its 27th year touring six
homes in our community on May 31.
Volunteer docents are needed to guide small
groups through the homes. Docents will
be provided a script and everything need-
ed to host a fun, engaging tour. Morning
shifts (9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) and afternoon
shifts (12:30-4 p.m.) are available. Volunteer
docents can also buy discounted tickets for
the house tour themselves. Call or email
Bev Wolgin at (248) 931-3521
or bevwolgin@hotmail.com to
sign up.
The Samaritas
Refugee Center in Michigan
helps new Americans resettle.
Samaritas needs volunteers
to deliver food to the homes
of local refugee (mainly
Ukrainian) families. On
Thursdays, volunteers will
pick up food from the ACC
food pantry Detroit to bring
to these families. Volunteers
can choose the number of
families and the locations to which they
will deliver. A background check and cul-
tural training are required. To sign up, visit
samaritas.co/deliver or email Cierra Jones
at cjone1@samaritas.org.
Gleaners Community Food Bank’s
South Distribution Center in Taylor pro-
cesses a tremendous volume of donated and
purchased food to serve our neighbors in
need. Volunteer tasks include packing food
bags for mobile distributions; packing food
boxes for seniors, veterans and families;
sorting and bagging fresh produce; and bal-
ing cardboard for recycling. Gleaners needs
help Monday through Friday from 9-11:30
a.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
from 1:30-4 p.m. You can sign up as an
individual or with a group up to 40 as a one-
time opportunity or a regular commitment.
Visit gcfb.volunteerhub.com to sign up.
On My Own of Michigan hosts a full
calendar of skill-building workshops and
social activities each week for adults with
developmental disabilities. Volunteers are
needed to work alongside staff — no specif-
ic skills are required. Skill-Building Program
volunteers must be at least 18 years of age,
pass a background check, be up to date with
their COVID-19 vaccinations (including at
least one booster dose) and be available at
least one night or weekend each month. If
you are interested in becoming a volunteer,
email jennifer@onmyownofmi.org.
If your organization is looking for volunteers, please
email Samantha Foon at samanthafoon14@gmail.com
for possible inclusion in an upcoming column.
OUR COMMUNITY
Opportunities to do a mitzvah are all around us.
Calling All
Volunteers
SAMANTHA FOON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LEFT: Gleaners needs volunteers to
pack food for those in need. BELOW:
Help sort donations at A Girl Like
Me Inc., which serves young women
who could use a friend.
GLEANERS FACEBOOK