Can children under 18 years of age volunteer?
High schoolers volunteering for the Post Office Food Drive
Because most volunteer work is done during school hours, with many jobs involving client interaction, the vast majority of volunteer opportunities are filled by adults. In addition, the Center’s environment is a very busy and active one. With minimum supervision, volunteers need to be independent and self-directed.
There are, however, two exceptions for older children:
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are 0ne-hour after school slots for two students who vacuum and help set up for Pantry later in the day.
- The Kids’ Summer Food Program (KSFP), which provides additional food packages during the summer months to those families with children that qualify for free and reduced lunch in their schools, is another way that students can assist us during the summer months. KSFP runs from June 1st through August 31st. Students help daily in preparing pre-packed bags, as well dispensing them during pantry hours. If you are a middle or high school student who is interested in a weekly shift, please contact Lynne Saner to discuss this program further.
Can I volunteer with my children at the NSC?
Many parents are eager to volunteer alongside their children. However, because most volunteer work is done during school hours, with many jobs involving client interaction, the vast majority of volunteer opportunities are filled by adults. In addition, the Center’s environment is often very active and busy. With minimum supervision, volunteers need to be independent and self-directed.
One notable exception is the Post Office Food Drive (POFD), held annually on the second Saturday in May. This is a wonderful time for families to volunteer together. Families with children of any age can work together delivering donation bags throughout the city in the week prior to the event. Families with older children are welcome to help together on the day of the event as we receive, sort, weigh, and store the thousands of pounds of food local postal carriers bring to the Center.
Please contact Lynne Saner if you’d like to discuss a street assignment for bag delivery and/or to get on the schedule (in two-hour shifts) for the day of the event.
Can I fulfill court-appointed community service hours through the NSC?
Yes, several of our volunteers are fulfilling their community service requirement at the Northampton Survival Center. Like all incoming volunteers, please fill out an volunteer application and join us for an orientation. Then together we will assess the number of community hours you need and by when, your availability and interests, and the current job availability at the Center to explore whether the fulfillment of your hours can be achieved at the Center. Please check the orientation schedule and contact Lynne Saner to let her know which session you’d like to attend.
I can’t make an ongoing commitment, but I’d still like to help. Are their one-time events I can help with?
Face Painting at our Goshen Open House 2008
Yes, the National Association of Letter Carriers sponsors the Post Office Food Drive (POFD), which occurs annually on the second Saturday in May. In Northampton, Florence, and Leeds the food that postal carriers pick up is delivered to the NSC. We need help the week before delivering donation bags throughout the city, as well as on the day of the event as we receive, sort, weigh, and store the thousands of pounds of food postal carriers bring to us.
Please contact Lynne Saner if you’d like to discuss street assignments for bag delivery for your group and/or to get on the schedule (in two-hour shifts) for the day of the event.
For other ideas about how to contribute to the Center without making an ongoing time commitment, please see our How To Help section.
Can groups volunteer together?
Nearly all of our volunteer opportunities require training and a subsequent commitment to either a weekly shift or to substituting on an ongoing basis. Therefore, there are not regular opportunities for group volunteering at the NSC.
One notable exception is the Post Office Food Drive (POFD), held annually on the second Saturday in May. This is an ideal time for groups to work together.
In Northampton, Florence, and Leeds the food that postal carriers pick up is delivered to the NSC. We need help the week before delivering donation bags throughout the city, as well as on the day of the event as we receive, sort, and weight the thousands of pounds of food postal carriers bring to us.
Please contact Lynne Saner if you’d like to discuss a street assignment for bag delivery and/or to get on the schedule (in two-hour shifts) for the day of the event.