Call to Action - October 13, 2023
Greetings, Prince William - Do you hear the rustling of feathers? A faint "Gobble, Gobble" in the distance? Do you detect the odor of pumpkin pie? That can mean only one thing: Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and these food assistance programs can use your help:
- ACTS has kicked off Share the Bounty, their annual Thanksgiving program which provides Thanksgiving meals for their clients! Donations can be dropped off through November 17 at ACTS Hunger Prevention Center, 17958 Dr. David Cline Lane, Dumfries 22026. Please visit https://bit.ly/45JNmKB to view the list of requested items. Volunteers will also be needed, especially small groups of 7 or less. Key volunteer dates are October 25 and November 11. Volunteers will also be needed through November to help sort food and assemble Share the Bounty bags for distribution. What a terrific way to celebrate the season, to make a holiday meal possible for food insecure families! Please email Shirley at SCouteau@actspwc.org to learn more.
- Haymarket Regional Food Pantry has also begun its holiday food drive to help their food insecure clients enjoy a holiday meal! Please visit https://bit.ly/3ZV3rLX for a list of requested foods; deadline for donations is November 1. Donations can be delivered to the food pantry at 7669 Limestone Drive #105, Gainesville 20155. Please call 703.754.5990 for more information.
- Manassas City Public Schools is hosting a food drive to support families in need whose children attend Manassas City schools. Holiday food items such as stuffing mix, canned veggies, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. are needed. Donations can be brought to the MCPS Central Office, 8700 Centreville Road Suite 200, Manassas 20110 through November 15. Please call 571.377.6096 or email mcowell@mcpsva.org to learn more.
Other volunteer opportunities:
- Andrew was lonely, isolated and worried about his medical appointments since he could no longer drive. Thanks to our VETS program, this veteran can get a ride to the doctor and has made new friends with the volunteers. You can be a part of this program as a Volunteer Driver for Volunteer Prince William, taking veterans and their spouse/widow to medical appointments, supermarkets, etc.! Drivers age 21+ are needed on weekdays, and schedules are flexible with most rides done between 8:30am-3pm. You'll feel great as you provide transportation and friendship to veterans and spouses who otherwise struggle to have their daily and medical needs met! Please email jhawkins@volunteerprincewilliam.org to learn how you can get involved. This opportunity is made possible by a grant from Potomac Health Foundation.
- BEACON is already looking ahead to their Winter Session, and they're in need of Virtual Volunteer Teachers for the period November 27-February 29. No experience needed; training is provided. Attend a Volunteer Information Session to learn more, dates available through November 2! Please visit https://bit.ly/3tkZXGn for session dates and more information, email Jmorazuniga@osbva.org to learn more.
- As Boxes of Basics continues to expand and get more requests for children's clothing, they need your help to keep up with demand. If you'd like to get more involved, there are several exciting support opportunities available, most of which will only require 1 or 2 hours a week! Check out the ways you can help here: Boxes of Basics Special Volunteer Roles.
- Brain Injury Services needs volunteers to be a PALS (Providing a Link for Survivors) for two survivors of brain injury. Both clients live in Fairfax County and are looking for a buddy to do monthly outings for coffee, walking, shopping etc. Helping a client get their life back in order following such a traumatic occurrence will make your day! Please visit braininjurysvcs.org/volunteer/ for more information, email mthyen@braininjurysvcs.org to learn how you can help.
- You can make a difference in the life of a child! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs volunteers age 21+ who care about children growing up in a safe, permanent and loving home. The staff will hold their next Virtual Information Session on November 1, 6pm-7pm. Learn how you can help protect abused and neglected children in your community by becoming a volunteer advocate. Please email jpolen@casacis.org or call 703.330.8145 to receive the link to the meeting or to inquire about alternate dates.
- Is your office or group looking for a project? SERVE's Family Shelter needs volunteer groups of 5-7 people who can prepare home-cooked meals for its residents for Thanksgiving and Christmas! It's not too early to plan, and this is a terrific team-building opportunity for families or small groups! Volunteers provide, prepare and deliver nutritious meals for about 60 guests on weekends and holidays. Groups can either serve in-person or prepare and drop off the meal. Please visit nvfs.org/get-involved/volunteer/ to view available meals, email jrmartinez@nvfs.org or call 571.748.2674 for more information.
- The Town of Dumfries is holding a Town Cleanup event to remove litter from various locations around Dumfries on October 21, 8:30am-12pm at 17757 Main Street. Volunteers age 18+ welcome, volunteers under 18 are welcome to volunteer with a parent. It's a great family-friendly event which will help beautify this historic town! All cleanup supplies will be provided; please consider bringing a reusable water bottle. Please visit https://bit.ly/48E96Ka to sign up, email RNickerson@dumfriesva.gov for more information.
- If you love history, the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton wants to meet you! Their Lucy Burns Museum is looking for people-loving Docents to share the 90+ year history of this facility. Volunteers receive training and are expected to commit to a 2-year period of volunteering. You'll enjoy interacting with visitors while sharing the colorful and sometimes controversial history of this center! Please visit https://bit.ly/46lEZ8M to view details, email museum@workhousearts.org for more information and to apply.
If you are looking for other opportunities, please don't forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.
