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Volunteer

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”


Helen Keller


Become a Volunteer Today

Volunteer Hours

Mon - Fri
-
Sat - Sun
Closed

Our mission is fulfilled in large part by dedicated and caring volunteers who charitably give their time and talent to help our neighbors in need! During 2023, our volunteers gave nearly 15,000 volunteer hours to help provide food-insecure families with hope, and nutritious groceries.


Volunteers fulfill a variety of roles that supplement the small center staff. From sorting and inspecting food; and greeting neighbors as they arrive for services; to warehouse, administrative, advocacy, and development roles, our volunteers are vital to our success. They are family to us and each other; they are the Heartbeat of Hope for our Neighbors and for South Lake County.


Whether you volunteer for fun, to stay connected or for community service credits, The Neighborhood Center offers many opportunities to consider.


To learn more, see below, or sign up click here (link to application)

INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer & Operation Hours

Volunteer hours, roles and needs can vary depending upon the activities, needs and events occurring throughout the year. The Neighborhood Center of South Lake’s standard operation hours are Monday through Friday from

8 am to 4 pm.

Client Service opportunities are available during the times below.

Monday
Closed
Tue, Wed, Fri
-
Thursday
-
Sat - Sun
Closed

Please contact us for details related to administrative volunteer opportunities and times.


Volunteers, who are scheduled for client facing shifts, are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled shift for a group volunteer meeting to review assignments and receive any specific instructions related to the day’s activities.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Client Services

Client service volunteers commit to working their entire shift, which will last 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until all clients have been served for the day. Breaks and seating are available whenever and wherever possible or needed, and does not impede upon client service operations.

Pantry

Client Check-In: When clients arrive to receive their groceries, they are greeted by a “host” and required to check-in at the front desk. Here clients will place their orders and move to the next area. If a client is a first-time visitor, they will meet with our Case Manager in the first hour of the client service day. New clients will receive food on their first visit.


Fulfillment: Is a fast-paced environment where volunteers will fill grocery carts with the items ordered by the clients during check-in. The pantry is located adjacent to the Produce Service area with little, or no client contact involved. Restocking shelves with items is often part of this role.


Produce Service: The Produce Service area is located just outside the Fulfillment area. This is a fast-paced and direct client facing environment where volunteers assist clients through multiple stations in completing their selections and orders for groceries. Each station fills specific parts of a grocery order, and this area often gets congested with people, grocery carts, boxes and restocking efforts.

Warehouse

Receiving: Assist with donations and Stock deliveries that occur every Monday thru Friday.


Sorting & Inspection: Donations, when received, are sorted, inspected, and stored for distribution to clients. Donations are checked for use by dates, package integrity, and portion sizes. They are then sorted according to category, boxed or assembled for warehouse storage, or pantry shelving.

Administrative Roles

Administration: Admin Support, Filing (digital and paper), Phones, Customer Services, Research, Compilations and distribution of information, scheduling, and more.


Advocacy: – Promoting the Center’s mission, and our impact on the lives of our clients and the local community is vital to our success. Volunteers who are willing to become community advocates will be trained to represent the Center at Events and Community Presentations.


Case Management: Supporting case management by assembling and documenting client information, researching and connecting clients with partners for additional resources. Assist with scheduling classes, and instructors, while managing registrations, and more.


Development: Fundraising, Marketing, Advocacy, Material Design & Assembly, Events, Grants and more. Support our efforts through Fundraising both actively and administratively.


Events: Special events and community events often require a long period of preparation, planning and many volunteers and roles. The Neighborhood Center’s goal is to implement Two Signature Events each year. A Golf Tournament and a Dinner/Gala/Pic-nic (style event).


Operations: Supports and oversees many areas of the organizational function. Often encompassing multiple areas listed above and the infamous “other duties as assigned.” Assisting with data collection, recruiting and scheduling volunteers, or any special technical or skilled services that may be needed on the occasional basis.


Special Skills: Other Opportunities: If you have a hobby, special skill or project that you feel would support the Mission of the Neighborhood Center, please contact us to discuss how and if we can work together.


If you or someone you know would like to explore how you can volunteer with the Neighborhood Center, please contact us at 352.429.1200 extension 103 for our Center Director or click the link below to complete the form and someone from our staff will contact you.


Thank you for your interest in the Neighborhood Center of South Lake. You Are the Hope of South Lake County.


Sign up here: Link to volunteer application

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