With Hurricane Ian in the news, families everywhere feel they want to do something to help. And they can. Go to HERE to make a monetary donation.
But this is also a good time to start building kids into volunteers. There are several ways to do that here in Middle Tennessee. Here are three of the most obvious ways, although there are always opportunities to serve in your own neighborhood (carrying out someone’s trash, cutting someone’s grass, walking a dog).
Volunteers: Building a Servant’s Heart
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
The Martin Distribution Center
331 Great Circle Road
Nashville, TN 37228
Questions: volunteer@secondharvestmidtn.org
Volunteers inspect, sort and pack food for distribution. Sorting groups range in size from 5 – 100 people. Family Night is every Thursday from 5:30 – 8 p.m. and is for ages 6 and older. All volunteer visits must be scheduled in advance. Registration is easy, by following the link at the website.
American Red Cross Tennessee Region
Kids 13 and older can register as volunteers with the Red Cross at the Red Cross Volunteer Connection. Kids under age 13 can still volunteer, but must contact the local unit to complete a parental consent form and be accompanied by an adult for supervision.
Hands on Nashville
Youth volunteering is for ages 13 – 18. Kids interested must create a HON.org account, fill out an online Volunteer Liability Release Form then search for projects & sign up. Age requirements may vary by description. Family volunteering is also available on the “Opportunity Calendar.” Use the “Age of Volunteer” filter found under the “Basic Search and Search Options” box above the “Opportunity Calendar.” Age restrictions apply by project.
