Call to Action - October 27, 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:
- It's All About a Kid and a Toy! Volunteer Prince William has kicked off Untrim a Tree, which provides gifts for children attending Title I schools in the community, along with Senior Baskets for homebound senior citizens. Individuals, groups, clubs, families, etc. can come together to make Christmas possible for everyone! New location this year: Prince William County Fairgrounds, donation drop-off dates are December 10 (9am-8pm), or December 11-12 (12pm-8pm). An online donor form can be filled out at https://bit.ly/3QcHLYH or email utat@volunteerprincewilliam.org for more information. Volunteer help will be needed to sort toys and deliver Senior Baskets - stay tuned for more information!
- If you enjoy working with wildlife, the staff at Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.) wants to meet you! They have several volunteer needs such as Animal Care, Wildlife Rehab, Education/Outreach and more. No experience necessary, just a love and commitment to help our local wildlife as they face many challenges in this area. An Information Night is being held November 8, 6pm-8pm where you can learn more. Please visit https://bit.ly/46YktLK to learn more and register, email volunteer@aeroanimalrescue.org to learn more.
- Boxes of Basics has a need for volunteers during November to help assemble boxes of clothing for needy children in our area. They currently have nearly 100 kids on their waitlist, so help is urgently needed! You'll feel great as you help vulnerable children get the clothing they need to get through the coming cold weather! The November volunteer calendar is up, please visit https://bit.ly/3t6kj6b to sign up.
- 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! CASA Children's Intervention Services 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.
- Actors & Actresses! The City of Manassas Park and the American Red Cross are calling for volunteers as they prepare for the worst! On Saturday November 4th there will be a Mock Disaster Shelter Set-Up at Manassas Park Community Center and volunteers are needed to role play displaced residents with various issues (medical, physical, mental health, etc.) seeking services at the shelter. The community center is located at 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park 20111. Volunteers age 16+ are needed, under 16 are welcome to volunteer with a parent. All types of languages are welcome! Volunteers should arrive at 8am for instruction. A light breakfast will be provided as well as lunch. Volunteers are asked to commit until 1pm. Please register to volunteer at: https://forms.office.com/g/c5SZpijrei. Please call 703.335.8880 or email rath@manassasparkva.gov for more information.
- 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.
- 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.
