Georgia: here’s how to give back to the communities you love

April is National Volunteer Month, and it’s the perfect time to get involved!

Some days, our society’s challenges and shortcomings can feel impossibly overwhelming. It’s easy to feel helpless when you watch the news or become numb to the statistics around COVID-19, poverty, homelessness, hunger, and more.

But if you are in any position to serve, there’s always something you can do to help a struggling neighbor. As Mother Theresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Here are some of the ways you can channel your compassion and get involved now.

Sign up to pack food boxes.

HOPE Atlanta provides more than 40,000 boxed meals each year to families and kids experiencing food insecurity. Formerly Action Ministries, our network of volunteers, food pantries, community kitchens and childhood feeding programs improves access to fresh meat and produce, prepared meals, and pantry foods in several communities. With Spring Break upon us and summer around the corner, these programs will be an important nutrition source for local kids who rely on school meals.

We need volunteers to pack food boxes every Monday and Wednesday morning at our WeServe Volunteer Center in Atlanta, and you can sign up for a spot here.

Prepare warm meals for food-insecure friends.

We always need extra hands at our Women’s Community Kitchen, which provides meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and at Trinity Table on Sundays. We’re currently providing to-go meals to ensure guest and volunteer safety.

Volunteers in the Women’s Community Kitchen prepare and assemble to-go meals for up to 30 women and children to pick up on-site, and 100 additional meals to distribute to food-insecure seniors in the community. Sign up to volunteer here.

Trinity Table (located Downtown inside Trinity United Methodist Church) has long been a resource for anyone in need to receive a hot meal on Sundays. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email us at TrinityTable@gmail.com.

Volunteer virtually.

You can make a difference from the comfort of your own living room! We distribute many types of supply kits for people experiencing or transitioning out of homelessness and food packages for food-insecure children on the weekends. Virtual volunteers make these efforts possible.

Click here to see a list of items needed, learn how to pack a kit, and drop-off instructions.

Send an act of kindness.

We meet people experiencing hunger and homelessness where they are, even when it means venturing to places like homeless encampments. Caring for our unsheltered neighbors means making sure they have essential supplies like sleeping bags and hygiene necessities. Visit our Amazon Wish List to purchase an item that will make a difference to someone.

Make it a group effort.

We can’t think of a better way to spend quality time with friends and family or bond with your co-workers than by volunteering as a group. Packing meals is the perfect activity for faith-based groups, teams, clubs, and more. Small groups (up to 8 people ages 13 and up) can sign up to pack meals using the links above; larger groups are welcome to contact Amy Olvey to organize a volunteer event.

Want to learn more about the COVID-19 safety precautions we’re taking? Click here to see what we’re doing and view volunteer guidelines.

And, if you’re feeling a little short on time but still want to get involved, donating is always an easy and impactful way to help.