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

