Get involved!

Nothing to do over spring break? Well, you could make a difference by getting involved with a local organization.

According to Amy Spring, assistant director of Learn and Serve in the Center for Academic Excellence, there are several organizations in town seeking for students and people to volunteer during spring break.

Spring said these organizations can use students on episodic terms.

Hands on Portland has many volunteer opportunities for anyone wanting to get involved.

Spring said Hands on Portland serves as a coordinator for 50 local organizations who are recruiting volunteers.

“The first local organization makes volunteering easy by allowing volunteers to participate in a variety of projects without requiring a long-term committment,” Spring said.

Another way to take an active part in volunteering is through the Oregon Food Bank, which supplies food to low-income people.

Oregon Food Bank is dedicated to fighting hunger and educating the community about the root causes of poverty.

“They work in active coalition with other hunger relief agencies and anti-poverty organizations to identify and address the root causes of hunger through public education and advocacy,” Spring said.

Primarily, volunteers will have the opportunity to sort, pack and box food, along with other projects in the warehouse.

In addition, anyone interested in feeding the people could volunteer at the Blanchet House on Northwest Glisan.

Volunteers can serve up daily breakfast or lunch to low-income or homeless people and assist with the clean up afterward.

Nature lovers are invited by Friends of Trees to help plant trees along city streets, on school grounds or in natural areas.

“This organization works to make those benefits known community wide and makes trees affordable to those who want to imporve the urban forest,” Spring said.

There are many tree planting projects planned during March and April.

If you have any further questions on volunteering at these organizations, contact Amy Spring at (503) 725-5582 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Hands on Portland – www.handsonportland.org

Oregon Food Bank – Ammi Ludwick, (503) 282-0555 X258
[email protected]

Blanchet House – Don or Jeff (503) 226-3911

Friends of Trees – Volunteer hotline (503) 284-TREE
www.friendsoftrees.org