Opportunities From: Montgomery County Volunteer Center

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, activity kits for kids and social services for the families that we serve.

We are in need of volunteers to assist in our monthly diaper distribution/pantry at The Upcounty Hub. Volunteers' duties vary from handing out diapers to families with appointments to assisting in the food pantry. 

 Please arrive five to ten minutes prior to start time to check in.

Please reach out to Janice @ joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

* If court mandate hours are needed, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly prior to volunteering.  No hours will be given unless previously approved.  Contact Janice @ joconnor@theupcountyhub.org for more information or with any questions.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours in a public space under direct supervision of the nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Thank you SO much for volunteering to help pack food boxes and produce bags for our neighbors in need!

ALL VOLUNTEERS must:

Be 15 years or older and able to work independently

Be able to lift up to 25 lbs

Come dressed appropriately but comfortably — long shorts or pants, a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt/sweatshirt, and closed-toe shoes are required. Volunteers not wearing closed-toe shoes will be sent home

Please bring water to stay hydrated

Volunteer duties include, but are not limited to:

Packing food

Organizing distribution materials

Clean-up tasks

Please note: These duties may involve bending, standing for extended periods, and lifting up to 25 lbs. Volunteers must be able to comfortably meet these physical requirements.

*If you are seeking court-mandated hours, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly before signing up or volunteering. No hours will be verified without prior approval. Contact Janice at: joconnor@theupcountyhub.org.

The Upcounty HUB is located inside the Upcounty Regional Services Center at:
12900 Middlebrook Rd, Germantown, MD 20874

Please enter through the front entrance of the building. The HUB is to the right of the front desk in Suite 1100.
All volunteers are required to sign in with Janice before starting their shift.

If you need to cancel your volunteer shift, please notify us as soon as possible via this website or with an email to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org. We are a volunteer-driven organization and rely heavily on your commitment to help feed local families each week.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions or concerns.

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please at 1:45pm to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

*If court mandate hours are needed, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly prior to volunteering.  No hours will be given unless previously approved.  Contact Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org for more information or with any questions.*

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 8:35am to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

* If court mandate hours are needed, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly prior to volunteering.  No hours will be given unless previously approved.  Contact Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org for more information or with any questions.*

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties include loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 12:40pm to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org  with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

*  If court mandate hours are needed, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly prior to volunteering.  No hours will be given unless previously approved.  Contact Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org for more information or with any questions.*

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

SPECIAL BAKING NEEDED for NOV 14,  NOV 21, & NOV 24 2025

We would like to be able to add baked goods to our 2000+ Thanksgiving baskets (whole turkey/chicken + fresh produce).  Please let me know if you can help.  We would like the cookies packaged 10 cookies in a bag for this since it is for a family.

Fri Nov 14 & Fri Nov 21: Please deliver to the TPSS Coop, 201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park by 8:30am.  We will be packing outside behind the building. You can also drop off the day before.  Please email me at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com if you drop off the day before, add STM to the box/bag you are dropping them off in and ask the staff to put it in our pantry.

Mon Nov 24: Please deliver to 14516 Bauer Drive by 3pm.  You can also drop off the day before.   Please email me with the day and time you are dropping off at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com

You must arrange a dropoff time so that you can load them into my car. Do not leave them outside our home. Ants will get into them.

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make cookies and other baked treats to share with food insecure families in our community that we serve.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made these families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  These baked treats are a nice way to provide a fun snack to go along with the other foods that we are providing for these families.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making baked goods until schools return to normal status.  20 cookies (2.5"-3" in diameter) or 20 regular size cupcakes or 1 baked dessert loaf (use an 8.5" X 4.5" X 2.5" pan) = 1 hour of service  (Please note that mini cookies, cupcakes, or breads will not count and that we are no longer looking for regular bread as we are now getting donations of sandwich & loaf bread from a local bakery.)

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form): 

NOTE: Items should be baked fresh the day before.  Please do not make cookies ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them.

-Please take photo of them being made and a group photo of the baked items once you've finished. 

-Cookies and muffins should be put into Ziplock bags in batches of 4 and loaves should be wrapped tightly in either Saran Wrap or a gallon size Ziplock bag. Please label them and note if nuts are present.  

-Make a log by writing down the number items made, and have your parent initial it. 

-Submit all your work (photos, signed log, etc.) via the google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the baked items and your log of the amounts of the items.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with the SSL hours you've earned. You will need to fill in sections 1 and 3 of you SSL form and turn in both this and the email to your school's SSL coordinator.  They will then credit your hours. 

Baked goods donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your baked goods in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

We are also able to accept baked goods at the TPSS Coop (201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park MD 20912) on ALL Friday mornings from 7:30-8:30am, but please let us know what dates and the amounts you are going to be donating by emailing us at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com at least 3 days in advance.  Please note that if the weather is bad (rain/snow) you must contact us the day before so that we can give you an alternative drop off location.  Please drop off your baked goods behind the TPSS Coop building on Columbia Avenue to one of our members (not inside to a TPSS Coop employee). We will be packing produce outside.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, ham, turkey, etc) to share with the families we serve in our community in Takoma Park and Silver Spring.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made these families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  A sandwich is a small way that we can bridge the distance between us and them and help them with their food insecurity.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making sandwiches until schools return to normal status.  10 sandwiches= 1 hour of service

Note:  Sandwiches should be made the day before.  Please do not make them in advance because they won't be at their best. The sandwiches should be made so that they are ready to eat.  Please add mayonnaise and mustard to the sandwiches with meat in them.  Cheese is welcome too.  There is a high demand for TURKEY sandwiches.  :)

Please note that if you are making more than 20 sandwiches that you should be making different types of sandwiches so that they are not all PB&J.

If you plan to make more than 60 sandwiches you must reach out to me to get my approval.  Please let me know how many sandwiches you are making and how many of each type.  

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form):

-Please document your sandwich making by taking an action shot photo of them being made and a group shot of the bagged sandwiches once you've finished making them

-Make a log by writing down the date(s), the number of sandwiches made, and have your parent initial it and take a photo of it

-Make sandwiches and wrap each on individually using either wax paper or sandwich bags (no foil please)

-Use the bread bag to package them and label the outside of the bag with the type of sandwiches made.  

-Submit your photos, etc via the google form. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the sandwiches you made and your log of the amounts of the items initialed by your parent.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with the SSL hours you've earned. You will need to fill in sections 1 and 3 of you SSL form and turn in both this and the email to your school's SSL coordinator.  They will then credit your hours. 

DROPOFF

Sandwich donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your sandwiches in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make frozen casseroles to share with food insecure families and individuals in our community.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made food insecure families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  A casserole is a nice way to provide a hot meal for these families.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making casseroles until schools return to normal status.  1 casserole= 1 hour of service

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form):

Favorite casseroles include: tuna casseroles, chili, mac and cheese, baked ziti, and chicken noodle, but all casseroles are loved!

-Please taking a photo of the casserole(s) being made and a photo of the completed casseroles

-Please use a disposable aluminum pans 9 x 13 for your dish.

-Please cook your casserole prior to freezing it.

-Please label each casserole with the name and the ingredients (for example: Chicken and Cheese Casserole: chicken,pasta, olive oil, onion, mushrooms, bread crumbs, butter, cheese). 

-Please wrap them well with aluminum foil. Please do not use the plastic cover that comes with some pans.

-Please write down the date, the number of casseroles made, and have your parent initial it and take a photo of it.

-Submit all your work (photos, signed log, etc.) via the google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the baked items and your log of the amounts of the items.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  I will be sending out emails with your SSL form each weekend.  Please be patient.  

DROPOFF:

Casserole donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your casseroles in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Small Things Matter's helps those in need by providing them with food, literacy, and general support.

We are looking for volunteers to help us put together cleaning care kits to share with the those in need in our community. 

Cleaning and disinfecting one's home is always a good practice and this is even more important in homes where a family member has coronavirus.  In some of the apartments we serve half of the residents there have at least 1 member of their household who has COVID-19.  We would love to have individuals and groups helping us put together these cleaning kits.

We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

We will award 1 hour of community service for each kit which can be used towards:

1 cleaning care kit = 1 community service hour

All items can be purchased inexpensively from the Dollar Store/Dollar Tree.

Each kit must contain 4 of 6 items listed below (each item in the kit must be different/ no duplicates):

PLUS 2 sponges or a roll of paper towels

AND a kind note

All items must be placed in double bagged plastic bags and placed inside a paper box so that boxes can be stacked on top of one another.

Instructions: 

-Please document your work by taking an action shot photo of them being assembled and a group shot of the finished package once you've finished 

-Purchase the cleaning supplies and make a nice handmade note

-Place the items in a clean plastic bag (please double bag) making sure that all the items are standing upright to avoid spilling.

-Make a log by writing down the number of kits made, along with your name and date and have your parent initial it

-Submit the log and your photos, etc via the link below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefU6lhr176FWyDzQl0AAWgbxTEs8Eqa37vOzAoJwmyUw9D8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with a letter detailing the number of community service hours you've earned. 

DROPOFF

Cleaning kits can be dropped off at 14516 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD 20853 

Please contact me at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com prior to dropping off. Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, activity kits for kids and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 12:15pm to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

* If court mandate hours are needed, you must contact Janice O'Connor directly prior to volunteering.  No hours will be given unless previously approved.  Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org for more information or with any questions.*

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, activity kits for kids and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 9:15am to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

* If court mandated hours are needed please contact us for further information.*

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Register to Volunteer-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AAFAE29A6F9C07-57388489-volunteer#/

Serving the community groceries for over 13 years, Clifton Park Baptist Church has partnered with the county to become one of eight consolidation hubs to distribute food and other essentials as a result of the pandemic. There are six food distributions a month including a Wednesday distribution which serves about 550 households, the first Saturday that serves about 300 households, and a TEFAP distribution which serves 30-50 households. Groceries and diapers are distributed to community members who walk-up and drive up as well as through community partners. Clifton Park Baptist Church partners with 7 other local organizations, nonprofits and other churches who receive food at our location for their clients who are in need.   

Help is needed for our weekly FOOD PACKING:

Volunteer to pack bags of fresh produce on WEDNESDAYS (10:00AM – 2:30PM) for partner distributions within the community. Volunteers should wear comfortable attire, be able to stand for 2-3 hours and be able to lift and move 10-15 pounds repeatedly. Specific instructions provided upon arrival.

Register to Volunteer- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AAFAE29A6F9C07-57388489-volunteer#/

COVID-19 Protocol: All volunteers are required to have their masks on before entering the building (face shields are a great addition) and have their temperature check upon arrival. Gloves are available on site.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Onsite parking is available.  Volunteers can drive up the driveway past the line of drivers waiting for food and then park in the parking lot.

You may contact Randi (outreach.cpbc@gmail.com) for additional information. Thank you for helping us serve a 1000+ households each week!

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how virtual opportunities may be considered for SSL.

Hughes United Methodist Church serves as one of seven Montgomery County Consolidated Services Hubs delivering food assistance and other vital services to a growing number of Mid County residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, Hughes has provided more than 900,000 pounds of free groceries to 36,000 households. The needs continue to grow and we appreciate your interest.

ENERGETIC VOLUNTEERS are needed to help distribute food, they are assigned a station in which they will help our clients to classify the food they require. The activity takes place indoors and involves standing for at least 2 hours and lifting up to 35 pounds. Volunteers must dress accordingly.

COVID-19: Physical distancing protocols are followed to provide a safe environment for everyone.  All volunteers must complete a temperature check upon arrival in order to sign in for their shift. Gloves are provided, but you must bring and wear your own mask.

VOLUNTEER SIGNUP: Advance registration is required through the Hub’s Signup Genius account. For a list of available volunteer slots and to register for this opportunity, click the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0849a5a72ba75-drivein#/

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Founded by a three-time cancer survivor, Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Help us gather supplies needed to help patients through their cancer treatments. As with our other opportunities, the items contributed will be included in our cancer care kits that are delivered nationwide to those undergoing cancer treatments.

You may shop directly using our Amazon Wish List, and/or organize your own food and supply drive for the items below. While the links are directed to suggested brands, other brands are welcome. Thank you!

To organize a food and supply drive for Kits to Heart’s recipients, please follow these steps:

If you are asked about monetary donations, please direct them to our website at kitstoheart.org.

For any further questions, concerns, or ideas, please reach out to Sonia at sonia@kitstoheart.org.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how virtual opportunities may be considered for SSL.

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for vaccinated individuals to help us pack and distribute food to the families that we serve in Takoma Park and Silver Spring.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made these families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  These staples and fresh produce help them with their food insecurity.  

Teens and Adults needed to help pack produce EVERY Friday from 7:30am-9:30am at the TPSS Coop, 201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park MD 20912.  SSL hours and Community service hours awarded.

Teens and Adults needed to help pack produce on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 9am-11:30am at the TP Seventh Day Adventist Church Center (6810 Eastern Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012).  SSL hours and Community service hours awarded.

If you are interested in helping please send an email to thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Join us virtually for a BluePrints orientation session and learn about opportunities on how you can help your community with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland!    If this is your first time volunteering with us or you're a returning volunteer interested in learning about our volunteer opportunities, join us virtually and discuss how you can support HFHMM. Orientation sessions are held virtually every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at noon.  Go to our volunteer website to sign-up for an upcoming BluePrints

Sign Up Here

Please find below a list of virtual/remote opportunities for volunteers to continue reminding Seniors that we are grateful for them. Hospital patients and staff will be heartened by your music and stories.  These activities are designed to be completed in the safety of your home during Quarantine for the time being (ending when MCPS and all MD/VA schools return to normal status). If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the following steps:

Here is a list of many different virtual/remote opportunities that you can complete until schools return to normal status:

1.  Find music that has great meaning for the seniors (songs from 1940’s to 1990’s).  Use the time you would ordinarily spend practicing for an event to learn at least one or two songs. You will be ready to share these favorite songs when the doors open again. During this Fall season, add Fall and Winter repertoire to your list of music to bring after Quarantine. (1 SSL hour)

2.  Draw a picture depicting the Summer season for the seniors.  Include a crossword puzzle for them to keep their minds sharp. Write a rhyme and picture.  Reflect on their importance to your life by their great contributions through history (from 1940’s to the present).  Send these to the Teen Communications Intern for the Foundation. There have been many adventures from your generous, heroic efforts, and they are so beautiful to read.  Sharing your thoughts with other volunteers will embolden them to overcome their fear and hesitancy.  Sharing them with adults and seniors reminds the seniors that they are important.  It is their privilege to pass down to YOU the great work ethic, sense of purpose, and experiences in grappling with emergencies that they have learned during their lifetime.  During this silence from seeing them, we will ask the Communications Intern to receive these writings and place them on Facebook. Most seniors have access to Facebook.  They can see their young music friends’ messages of concern and of thanks for their lives.  We will also mail your messages to them either via email or USPS. (.5 SSL hour)

3.  Make and send your music video of music in public domain on YouTube performances. We will offer your music to the Activity Directors (of seniors facilities) as Virtual Live Performance.  You are allowed to speak clearly your message to seniors:  “I miss seeing you, so I would like to play this song for you now…..”. (1 SSL hour)

4. Write a thoughtful, encouraging email message to a senior.   Let the senior know how he or she has reminded you of courage and strength during hard times.

You may refer to the Beethoven story written and illustrated below by Faber Piano Adventures.  (See web site below on this email message.)

https://beethoven.pianoadventures.com/?mc_cid=fe4353e2fc&mc_eid=4e5fc455a7

Tell him or her that you are studying about another hero (besides the senior) who has helped you.  In other words, share with seniors in an email message to them to encourage them to be strong and to have hope.  

Send your letter to the Program Manager: programs.thetacyfoundation@gmail.com.  She will send your letter or story to the seniors in all of the places where we play music.  They will see our video playlist too and will look forward to the time when COVID is over and we will return to them. 

1.5 SSL per email letter.  5 full paragraphs of expressive, encouraging connection between the struggles of Beethoven’s life challenges and your experience so far in the pandemic of 2020.

5.  Write (and or) illustrate a particular memorable moment when you played music at a hospital.  Perhaps someone came up to you and thanked you.  Maybe a family had just heard a very sad prognosis, or a family was happily bringing home a newborn baby, or another family was bringing home a loved one from a hospital stay.  As they always do, they stopped to hear your music.  Another time, perhaps you saw people enter the lobby through the big doors and turn toward the music and sigh a deep breath of hope and courage.  Write a descriptive piece on this.  Your writing may bring peace of mind to someone in a senior facility or a hospital who cannot express the sadness or the despair.  Stories are the best medicine for reminding us of the inestimable value of paying forward our hope for others through music. (1 SSL hour)

6. Write about your Piano Pals® or Guitar Pals® or Reading Express® experiences. Your Reflections may be about a particular life lesson you gained in this setting.  Tell about how your Title 1 student saw the world through his or her eyes.  Your writing may reflect (1) a change in your idea of community service, (2) what you discovered that you did not know before you taught (Write about this in regard to the children whom you are serving), and/or (3) the importance of music in the lives of the children you are working with.  It may include a particularly difficult challenge that you faced or are facing in working with children. The piece may be about how you discovered a side of yourself you had not known before these music classes.  Relate how you would like to take what you learned into the world to share with others and to serve again. (1 SSL hour)

7.  Assemble USBs for shipments to NYC's First Responders as well as hospital patients.  Place USB into plastic pouches with inserts as a donation (1 SSL hour per 100 USBs)

   Design CHEERFUL THANK YOU cards for hospitals, First Responders, and the military families that will receive Tacy  Foundation USBs  at Fisher Houses, and First Responders. (1 SSL hour for 15 cards)

9.  The Reading Express Virtual Library:  Make a video recording of a children's book, a fairy tale, or Your Own Storybook of holidays in your family.  Show the pictures on the camera as you read the book.  No matter how difficult life becomes and how trapped a child feels, he or she can go anywhere in the universe with a book or story.  Reading to a child can take him anywhere, bring her hope and joy in any life situation. BE SURE THE STORY IS IN PUBLIC DOMAIN or contact the publisher directly first to receive written permission to make a video of the story.  (1 hour SSL)   

11.  Virtual Live Music via YouTube Video Concerts (in Virginia & Maryland) of  Music.  Prepare songs to play live on YouTube.  Chief Interns will place on a private playlist.  45-minute programs are to be sent to Seniors Facilities that request video to be viewed at any time that is convenient for each facility.  Look for Signup.com opportunities.  Prepare any classical and or public domain songs to cheer each listener!  1.5 hour SSL Credit.

Student participation in the above service projects is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. The above service activities are designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status. 

KindWorks will safely clear your data from used laptops and refurbish them to give to students and families in need (for their classes, work and to stay healthfully connected).

As a general rule, we accept computers that are newer than 2008, including: 

(Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP are too old)

Working iPads or tablets can be accepted, but please remove your iPad from your iCloud (and FindMyPhone app) prior to donating: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211149    

check a more complete listing of what we can accept on our website: https://www.dokindworks.org/kindnetworks-digital-empowerment-initiative/

If your company/organization/family wants to donate such machines, please reach out to deb.lang@DoKindWorks.org to arrange - and Thanks!!

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how virtual opportunities may be considered for SSL.

(SSL hours are not available for this activity)

Make bagged lunches for Shepherd’s Table to help provide food for our guests.   Below are detailed instructions for donating either sandwiches or bagged lunches, as well as for either delivering them or having Silver Spring Cares pick them up at your house/apartment.

Many guests are looking for food to go, and Shepherd’s Table could use some ready-made lunches to hand out.  

If you are able to assemble some lunches and drop them off at Shepherd’s Table at 8106 Georgia Ave, right behind the Fire Station, Shepherd’s Table and its guests would be very grateful! 

Lunches should consist of 

If you’re not able to assemble lunches but could drop off some sandwiches and/or paper lunch bags, that would be wonderful, too.We welcome donations Monday through Friday 8:30 to 11:00am and 1:00 to 4:30pm.  On weekends from 8:30 to 9:30 and 1:00 to 4:30

right behind the Fire Station in downtown Silver Spring.

You can find out more about Shepherd’s Table and other opportunities to contribute at shepherdstable.org. 

We need your help! We are collecting items for seniors and vulnerable populations. You can help by creating care packages from the security of your own home and safely dropping items at our locations:
• Canned soups and other dry and canned foods
• Gift cards to Giant or Safeway
• Socks, hats, gloves and toiletries (especially important for the upcoming winter months)
• Large-font activity books like sudoku
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Sanitizing supplies
• Un-opened food to be cooked for 120 homeless neighbors served nightly by our Grate Patrol Program
• Donate online: https://give.virginiasalvationarmy.org/

Please leave donated goods outside the front door and call, text, or email 202-345-2238 or angela.soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org, indicating the location where you are. We will check for drop-off regularly, too. We are receiving donations 9am - 4pm, Monday - Friday at all locations:

DC
• 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW
• 2300 MLK Jr. Avenue, SE

Maryland
• 20021 Aircraft Drive, Germantown
• 4825 Edmonston Avenue, Hyattville

Virginia
• 1804 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
• 518 South Glebe Road, Arlington
• 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax
• 1483 Old Bridge Rd, Ste 102, Woodbridge

Safety is paramount. Please follow these precautions:
• Do not purchase items or prepare and drop-off care packages if anyone in your home is sick.
• While packaging and dropping of goods, wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
• During drop-off please leave food at the front and follow social distancing procedures.
• Donated items must be unopened and not expired.

Questions? Contact Angela, Volunteer and Donation Drive Manager
Angela.Soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org or 202-345-2238

MobileMed is seeking in-kind donations of Personal Protective Equipment and sanitation supplies.

Highest priority items include: Disinfecting Wipes; Latex Free Nitrile Gloves (size Medium is the most used); hand sanitizers; etc.

Please contact us at giving@mobilemedicalcare.org for more information.

Due to a high demand for Paper Towels and Toilet Paper from families affected by the downturn in the economy caused by the COVID-19/Coronavirus we need your help! Peoples Community Baptist Church continues to help our neighbors in need with regular food distributions and other emergency services. 

Donations of paper towels and toilet paper, school supplies and nonperishable food are all needed.

Please contact us first to arrange dropoffs of items - or with questions at 301-467-1562 or jacky327@cs.com or socialaction@tpcbc.org

Items can be dropped off Monday-Friday between 10am to 5pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 3pm. 

Germantown HELP provides delivered emergency food to residents of Germantown. We are addressing the increasing need resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and are looking for more donations of food and funds to help our neighbors in need. 

Non-perishable food, including spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned tuna/meat, mac & cheese, and canned veggies, fruit, & soups.

See more on our website about how you can support us. 

Email info.gtownhelp@gmail.com to plan where and when to drop off donations. We also pick up!

Thanks for your help!

Woks for Washington aims to support the Asian restaurant community in the DC area during COVID-19 by purchasing and delivering meals from restaurants to people in need (homeless shelters & hospitals). Preserving Asian cuisine serves as a major way for the Asian community to continue to share what makes us so diverse with the rest of the world since it's often one of the easiest and most palatable ways (pun intended) in which people can experience our culture. This is an effort to help preserve Asian American culture and cuisine while supporting essential workers and people in need. 

Every donation counts! We're currently in need of more funding to expand our reach.

$10 donated to Woks for Washington is one meal to someone in need or an essential worker!

If you're interested in donating, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/w4wwoks-for-washington

If you're interested in learning and spreading our story, please visit: https://woksforwashington.com/

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how virtual opportunities may be considered for SSL.

Before COVID-19, clients brought their own bags but we are now pre-bagging items and putting them in grocery store carts to minimize contact. We have been helping to serve 60+ households on 2 or more days each week. We need NEW bags and additional items to distribute supplies to our clients. 

DONATE:

Please contact Pat Drumming at pdrumming@rainbowcdc.org or on 301-625-2561 or 240-628-9154 if you can help. She will share information on where and when drop-offs are being accepted. 

Thank you for helping us help our neighbors in need! 

Rainbow Community Development Center provides groceries and hope to more than 1,000 people every week. We need your help to continue serving our growing community of clients.  To make a contribution, please visit us at www.rainbowcdc.org or on Facebook at Rainbow_CDC.  You can also send a check to:

Rainbow CDC
2120-A Industrial Parkway
Silver Spring, MD  20904.

Thank you for your generosity!

We are serving over 1000 cars every Tuesday and Using over 6000 bag to bag the grocery. 

We are in need of bags to bag the grocery (new) 

gloves and mask for volunteers  

healthy snacks and water for volunteers 

push carts to take the food to the cars. 

Friendship Place has an urgent appeal to help us meet new and unexpected needs during the Covid-19 health crisis and for the period after this crisis subsides through $100,000 in new support.

Your support enables us to do this life-saving work for the over 3,300 people Friendship Place serves each year.

Please donate today to help us provide food to families in need, conduct critical street outreach to at-risk people, and prepare for an influx of people for whom this crisis will last for years.

Thank you for all you do to make Friendship Place’s work possible.

Donate By Clicking Here

Friendship Place is the premier provider of housing services for people experiencing homelessness in the Washington DC region. Our innovative, customized, person-focused programs produce demonstrative and lasting results. We empower our participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently.

Our goal is to end homelessness in Washington, DC, and to establish a sustainable model which can be replicated across the nation.

In 2019, our programs ended or prevented homelessness for 1,437 people through creative, customized housing solutions. Across all of our programs, Friendship Place served more than 3,305 individuals in 2019.

Community Food Rescue is accepting donations of unused food from local restaurants. Food is then donated to shelters and others in need.

Visit https://www.communityfoodrescue.org/donate-food/ and create a profile.  

Questions? Contact cheryl@communityfoodrescue.org

The health, social, and economic implications of this pandemic are already being felt and could be staggering to our region. The Community Foundation has established and provided initial funding for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support emergency preparedness and response efforts that will help mitigate the impact on disproportionately affected communities in our region. Through this fund, we are focused on addressing lost wages, relief for small business and gig economy workers, expanding access to medical services, and meeting the unique needs of people experiencing homelessness, among other needs. 

Complete the form to donate here.

Shepherd’s Table has a wish list on Amazon in case you’d like to use it to support the organization. Please find the wish list at  https://www.shepherdstable.org/donate/ (bottom left under “Donation of Goods”).

VOLUNTEER

 The food bank is in urgent need of volunteers to pack and sort food at our warehouse, and to assist in off site distributions. The health and well-being of our volunteers is our highest priority, and we are taking all precautions to ensure safety for those who volunteer.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER.


GIVE FUNDS

The COVID-19 emergency makes getting access to nutritious food even harder for people experiencing food insecurity in our area. Your support is needed now more than ever to provide food to kids, families, and individuals who need help. 
DONATE TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS TODAY


DONATE FOOD

The food bank is accepting non-perishable, shelf stable foods only at this time. Food donations can be dropped off Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the CAFB warehouse in Washington, DC. A no-touch donation box will be provided in the Agency Box parking lot for those who are more comfortable with that option. For restaurants and hotels with produce and dairy to donate, please sign up at MealConnect.org.

Generation Hope serves 91 teen parents and their children in the Washington, D.C. area. Among them, 51% are Hispanic/Latino, 34% are African American. Nearly all are considered low income, and Generation Hope is also proud to serve several Dreamers.

In light of COVID-19, many Scholars are facing additional financial strain and have expressed a need for additional support. Generation Hope’s Emergency Fund exists to ensure that Scholars are not forced to drop out of college when facing critical financial need. These critical needs are only amplified by the COVID-19 crisis, and we would be so grateful for your support so that we can meet as many of them as possible. When you give to Generation Hope, you partner with us in decreasing poverty, investing in education, and making a long-lasting impact on families. Your gift will change the life of a Generation Hope Scholar and their child.

To make a financial donation to Generation Hope please go to http://supportgenerationhope.org/give-now/ . When prompted, you may state that you would like your donation to go directly to the Emergency Fund for Scholars.

Feel free to reach out to susanne@supportgenerationhope.org if you have any additional questions or concerns.