Caring Community

Want to make our community a better place, but don't know where to start?

A great place to begin is Hands On Greater Portland, connecting neighbors with volunteer opportunities that are as varied as our community, and a perfect way to match your skills, interests and time. Visit them online or call 503-413-7787 to learn more.

Listed below are just a few of the community organizations always looking for volunteers.

Did you know that the Oregon Food Bank distributes more than 30 million pounds of food to over 900 hunger relief agencies throughout Oregon and Clark County Washington? Every dollar donated enables OFB to collect and distribute more than five pounds of food. In recent years, donations of food from the US Department of Agriculture have dropped dramatically, yet the need remains as urgent as ever in our communities. Please visit the Oregon Food Bank website or call 503-282-0555 to learn more about how you can help your neighbors in need by volunteering, organizing food drives, attending special events, and making cash donations.

Snow-Cap Community Charities provides assistance to families via food boxes, clothing for children, as well as basic toiletry necessities. Through its Food 2 You program, Snow-Cap delivers food and clothing to low income families and those in need in retirement homes. Donations of food, clothing, cash, and volunteer time are greatly appreciated. Please visit the Snow-Cap website, or contact them at 503-674-8785

Local social service agency Human Solutions will be operating a Warming Center through April for homeless families at 1435 NE 81st Avenue, just behind the old Elmer's Restaurant. The Center offers families a warm, safe place to stay from 7pm to 7am seven days a week. If you know anyone in need of a warm place this winter, please share this important information with them. Volunteers are greatly needed, as are donations of clothes, blankets, packaged snack foods and children's toys. To learn more, please visit the Human Solutions website, and click on "Warming Centers". You can also call the Warming Center's Director, Becky Mullins at 503-256-2280.

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of pets awaiting adoption? Volunteers at Multnomah County Animal Services in East County help create an environment of respect and compassion for adoptable animals. You can help in many ways, by fostering an animal, participating in community outreach by educating the public about MCAS programs and services, even taking animals out into the community to promote adoption. Volunteers are also needed to spend one-on-one time with pets at the shelter, exercising, interacting, cleaning kennels, and interacting with potential adopters. The shelter also welcomes donations to help defray the costs of veterinary care, and has recently launched a capital campaign, Shelter Dreams, to help fund a new shelter in Troutdale. To learn more, please visit the Multnomah County Animal Shelter website, or call Ann Potter, Volunteer Coordinator at 503-988-7387 ext 25255.

You WILL make a difference in our community by volunteering.