LOCAL OUTREACH
Here are some local organizations with volunteer opportunities focused on providing meals or affordable/free furniture and household items to people in need.
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Restore Décor, located in Edwardsville, Illinois, is a 100% volunteer-driven organization dedicated to rescuing and transforming donated furniture to support local families and organizations in need. Volunteers can participate in various activities, including furniture repair and painting, staging retail spaces, assisting customers during Saturday sales, and moving furniture from the warehouse to retail locations. To get involved, individuals or groups can sign up for specific roles or shifts through Restore Décor’s website, contributing their time and skills to make a tangible difference in the community.
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Alton
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to building, assembling, and delivering beds to children and families in need. Volunteers can participate in various activities, including bed construction during Build Days, delivering and assembling beds in recipients’ homes, and spreading awareness about SHP’s mission. To get involved, individuals can find their local chapter through SHP’s website and sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
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Glen-Ed Pantry in Edwardsville, Illinois, relies on over 500 volunteers annually to support its mission of assisting approximately 200 families each month with food, clothing, and household items. Volunteers can engage in both short-term project-based roles and long-term ongoing positions, contributing to various aspects of the pantry’s operations. To explore current volunteer opportunities and submit an application, individuals can visit the pantry’s official website.
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SOS Soup Kitchen - Collinsville
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The Spirit of Sharing (SOS) Soup Kitchen in Collinsville, Illinois, is a community-driven initiative providing free dinners to individuals in need, with no qualifying factors or strings attached. Volunteers are essential to its operations, assisting with meal preparation, serving, and cleanup during weekly dinners. Those interested in volunteering can contact the organization directly or sign up for one of LCC’s upcoming outreach opportunities here.
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St. John's Mission Garden - Edwardsville
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St. John’s Mission Garden, located at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, is dedicated to growing and donating fresh produce to local food pantries and soup kitchens, providing nutritious food to those in need. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome to assist with tasks such as planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and delivering vegetables. To get involved, individuals can visit the Mission Garden’s official webpage for more information on volunteer opportunities and guidelines.