Student Engagement Center

Food and Hunger

Blue Mountain Action Council

Contact: Steven M. Moss, CEO, 342 Catherine St., Walla Walla WA 99362, 509-529-4980, bmac@bmacww.org

Mission: Blue Mountain Action Council exists so that low-income people in Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties are able to meet their essential needs. Our goals are that low-income people are employable, are food-secure, have affordable and safe housing, and have access to resources for protection of their rights and privileges. Further, we strive for public policy to address the needs of the low-income population.

Volunteer Opportunities: We need volunteers for food drives/sorting, long-term care ombudsman, adult literacy program, pro bono lawyers, neighborhood revitalization-related projects. Organization works with AmeriCorps, literacy, and Commitment to Community.

Required Skills: People who care about people; bilingual helpful but not required; willingness to work with people from all backgrounds, dealing primarily with low-income individuals. For food drives/sorting, ability to sort different products and/or to lift 25 or more pounds. For literacy, those who are good readers and enjoy helping others learn (some volunteer tutors help prepare adults to take GED tests). For long-term care ombudsman program, individuals or couples who can volunteer four hours per week to visit specific facility/facilities to listen to residents' concerns and speak on their behalf with staff and/or families. Commitment to Community neighborhood revitalization has big projects from time to time--clean ups, youth activities, painting, helping with neighborhood events, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, etc.

Skills Learned: Organizing, teaching, community outreach, understanding of other cultures, compassion, and the great joy of having helped improved others' lives!

Training: Varies by program, program staff trains volunteers.

Volunteer Types:

  • Individuals who can come on a regular basis
  • Individuals who can come help out once with a big project
  • Groups of volunteers who can help out once with a big project

Christian Aid Center

Contact: Dianne Hufford,Volunteer Coordinator, 202 W. Birch, Walla Walla WA 99362, 509-525-7153, dhufford@christianaidcenter.org

Mission: Offering hope and restoration to the poor and homeless in our community by providing food, shelter, spiritual guidance, and case management.

Volunteer Opportunities: Breakfast and dinner preparation and service; Chapel & Bible Study leaders, childcare, van drivers, home & yard projects as needed.

Required Skills: desire and willingness to help take care of the poor and homeless.

Skills Learned: Compassion for those with less, organizational & team skills.

Training: On an "as-needed" basis.

Volunteer Types:

  • Individuals who can come on a regular basis
  • Individuals who can come help out once with a big project
  • Groups of volunteers who can come on a regular basis
  • Groups of volunteers who can help out once with a big project

Daily Market Cooperative

Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, Walla Walla, WA 99362, volunteer@dailymarket.coop

Mission: Daily Market Cooperative is a member-owned grocery store that increases the Walla Walla Valley’s access to local, healthy, and sustainable products.

Volunteer Opportunities: event planning, applied research projects, community outreach, creation of published materials

Required Skills: computer literacy, initiative-taking, friendly, outgoing, cooperative-minded

Skills Learned: literacy in local food issues, computer skills, research skills, event planning skills, office skills, "customer service" attitude

Training: Regular office volunteers go through two orientations and then have on-the-job training. Training workshop appointments can be timed to accommodate volunteers' schedules. Other volunteer roles, such as tabling at big events, require attending a training (approximately 1/2 hour) ahead of the event.

Volunteer Types:

  • Individuals who can come on a regular basis
  • Individuals who can help with a project occasionally when it fits his/her schedule
  • Individuals who can come help out once with a big project

Helpline

Contact: Daniel Willms, Executive Director, 16 S. Colville Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362, 509-529-3377, dan@helplineww.org

Mission: Helpline is a non-profit providing emergency social services in Walla Walla County. We help those in need with food, clothing, help with utility bills, rent assistance, eviction prevention, emergency shelter, perscription drug assistance, and we coordinate many other services. Helpline also operates the STEP Women's Shelter for homeless women.

Volunteer Opportunities: Meet directly with clients to do intakes and coordinate assistance; volunteer in our case management program; volunteer at the Women's Shelter to assist women in achieving independent living.

Required Skills: People skills; bilingual in Spanish helplful; good computer skills; desire to help people who are in difficult circumstances; compassion and desire to help those in need

Skills Learned: Interview skills; accurately discerning needs; understanding the life situation of the homeless and the poor; empathy; establishing personal boundaries; great experience in social work.

Training: Volunteers are trained at our location by our Volunteer Coordinator. We have a newly published Volunteer Manual which is also a reference for screening clients.

Volunteer Types:

  • Individuals who can come on a regular basis
  • Individuals who can help with a project occasionally when it fits his/hers schedule

Senior Round Table

Contact: Howard Ostby, 720 Sprague, Walla Walla, wa 99362, 509-527-3775, ostby@bmi.net

Mission: Our aim is to provide good nutrition, to keep older persons healthy and active, and in their own home, out of costly institutional care facilities.

Volunteer Opportunities: 1. Deliver (or help deliver) meals-on-wheels to shut-ins in the Walla Walla and College Place area. Mon-Fri deliveries 10:30-12:00 noon. Substitute or part-time drivers or "runners" needed.

Required Skills: To be a driver, a vehicle is required. Mileage is paid and free lunch is available. "Runners" do not need to have a vehicle.

Skills Learned: Working with the public. Getting an opportunity to help and relate to the elderly population.

Training: Staff trains volunteers when placed.

Volunteer Types:

  • Individuals who can come on a regular basis
  • Individuals who can help with a project occasionally when it fits his/her schedule
  • Individuals who can come help out once with a big project
  • Individuals who can earn credit (service-learning) by working with your organization